Sea water sucked 1 kilometre inland as Kwinana bores placed under intense pressure

Groundwater bores are designed to draw fresh water out of the ground, but the pressure on bores has been so intense in some locations along Perth's south coast that the bores have begun pulling up salt water instead. Key points: Tests show salinity levels in freshwater bores along the coast are increasing Once salt water moves into freshwater stores, it's hard to reverse the damage Water supplies to homes, market gardens and industry are under threat A Department of Water and Environmental Regulation report has found the amount of groundwater being extracted in the Kwinana industrial area was causing sea water from deeper underground to rise up and take its place. The department claimed the issue of sea water turning bores salty was the biggest problem facing groundwater users — residents, market gardeners and industry — along the coast. "The salinity in the production bores closest to the coast in many places up and down this strip are showing increased levels of salinity," said Chris Oughton, director of the Kwinana Industries Council. Saltwater intrusion threatens wetlands The department has recommended new limits on water use in the area as part of the "Cockburn Groundwater Allocation Plan".