Salinity and yield of groundwater in Gippsland

Where salinity is low and yield is high groundwater use is well established. The most reliable areas of good quality, high yielding groundwater in the region are found between Morwell and Bairnsdale and along the coast near Yarram. Other reliable areas can be found across the region, generally within Groundwater Management Unit boundaries. 

How much fresh water is stored in aquifers across the region?

Fresh water = salinity less than 1,000 mg/L

It is estimated that a total of 143,000 GL of fresh water is stored in aquifers across the region: 10,000 GL in the upper aquifers, 63,000 GL in the middle aquifers and 70,000 GL in the lower aquifers. Estimates of fresh water stored in the basement are not available.

What is the salinity and yield like in local areas?

Salinity and yield vary greatly across the region depending on which aquifer group you are using and where your property is located. To get an accurate indication of the salinity and yield you can expect on your property you need to drill a bore and have the water tested. 

To view this information on a map visit our Gippsland region map page or you can download or print a summary of the likely salinity and yield of groundwater near your property on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website.

Salinity and yield by local area

*The Yarram GMU occurs in both the middle and lower aquifers. This information refers only to where it occurs in the middle aquifer around the township of Yarram.

This table shows the likely salinity and yield in different local areas and aquifer groups across the region.

Learn the basics

For background information on salinity visit our What is groundwater salinity page.

For background information on yield visit our What is groundwater yield page.