What is groundwater?
Groundwater is water that percolates down the soil profile until
it reaches a permeable zone known as an aquifer. The upper surface
of the aquifer is called the water table and it usually follows
the ground surface. Groundwater is accessible over more than half
of South Australia all year round. >> More
Groundwater in South Australia
The quantity and quality of groundwater varies from region to
region. Large volumes of good quality water are available in some
areas, but in others it may be too salty or too deep to access.
The South East of South Australia has the largest supply of good
quality groundwater.
Groundwater supplies 65% of all irrigation water in South Australia.
It is used for drinking water in the South East, the Eyre Peninsula
and remote communities. In metropolitan Adelaide it is used for
soft drink and beer production as well as for irrigation.
Groundwater issues in South Australia
The availability of good quality groundwater is essential for
the future of South Australia, particularly in regions where there
is little surface water runoff.
Groundwater needs to be managed to protect it from overuse and
deterioration in quality. Pollution of groundwater has occurred
due to inappropriate disposal of waste, spills and poor land management
practices, among other things. Many of these practices are now
prohibited, but the pollution still remains in the groundwater.
>> More
Groundwater is also fundamental to maintaining flow in many of
the rivers and streams of South Australia. Polluted groundwater
may compromise biodiversity and reduce agricultural and horticultural
productivity. Human health may also be at risk if polluted groundwater
is used untreated for a drinking water supply.
What is being done to improve groundwater
quality
The EPA is responding to problems with groundwater in South Australia
in several ways. These include running extensive monitoring programs,
administering the Environment Protection Act 1993 through
licensing activities which could affect groundwater, and developing
codes of practice to encourage effective management and protection
of groundwater systems. >> More
This page was last modified 21-06-2006
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