Groundwater Monitoring
DSE’s Groundwater and Licensing Branch (GLiB) is the Victorian Government’s lead organisation responsible for monitoring and managing groundwater in Victoria.
Groundwater monitoring is important for effective water management. The information that is gathered through monitoring provides water resource managers with key data and knowledge to enable sustainable use and long term planning in relation to groundwater, and helps to guard against over-extraction and to ensure reserves do not become stressed or drop below sustainable levels.
Groundwater is also an indicator of climate change. Monitoring of groundwater levels and recharge rates will help build greater understanding of the resource and the possible impacts of climate change upon it.
Routine monitoring is undertaken by DSE throughout Victoria, particularly where an area has been identified as a Groundwater Management Area or declared a Water Supply Protection Area. Monitoring is also conducted by water corporations, government departments, local government and a range of private businesses.
In addition, DSE's State Observation Bore Network (SOBN) comprises 2500 monitoring-specific bores throughout Victoria.