South-west Australia relies on groundwater for three-quarters of its water use. But a new study of the region’s caves has found a drying climate is having a dramatic impact on this precious resource.

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In a world-first study, we have used caves to show the decades-long decline in rainfall in south-west Australia has reduced the replenishment of groundwater in the region to an 800-year low.

The region’s drying climate means rainfall may no longer be reliably replenishing its groundwater.

In caves, we can directly observe water on its way to becoming groundwater.

Preferential flow is an important mechanism for rainfall recharge of groundwater.

Groundwater supplies three-quarters of the water used in the region and future groundwater use is expected to increase.___