Water

South Australia’s water resources and trends in water quantity and quality are critical issues for the state’s future, particularly given the changes in rainfall expected as climate change progresses.

Since the previous state of the environment report in 2008, total and per person water use decreased with water restrictions and more efficient use. Increase in rainfall together with increased flows in the River Murray made more water available, and groundwater levels increased. Of the state’s 67 water management areas, 35 areas were managed within sustainable limits in 2012, 25 areas were partially within sustainable limits and 7 areas were not within sustainable limits (Government of South Australia 2012).

Agriculture remains the largest consumer of the state’s water. The diversity of water sources has increased, including wastewater recycling, stormwater reuse and desalination. South Australia has the highest percentage of households with rainwater tanks in Australia (ABS 2010).

Long-term planning and knowledge of water resources have improved with the South Australian Government’s Water for Good plan and establishment of the Goyder Institute for Water Research. A program for monitoring and assessing the ecological condition of rivers, lakes and coastal waters was put in place. This program found that the quality of aquatic ecosystems is variable, with 50% of the sites assessed between 2008 and 2011 rated as poor to very poor, only 9% as good or very good, and the remaining 41% as fair (EPA 2012).

Salinity levels in the main channel of the River Murray are stable and those in Lake Albert are lower than were recorded in the previous state of the environment report. Ephemeral water courses and wetlands in agricultural and pastoral areas responded well to above-average rainfall in 2010–11 (EPA 2012). Anecdotal information suggests a number of community supplies in arid regions are becoming increasingly saline, with decreasing levels in some bores.

In summary

Component Summary Assessment grade Confidence
Very poor Poor Good Very good In grade In trend
  • Recent Trend
    • Trend improving Symbol Improving
    • Trend stable Symbol Stable
    • Trend deteriorating Symbol Deteriorating
    • Trend unclear Image Unclear
  • Level of confidence
    • Confidence low Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment
    • Confidence limited Limited evidence or limited consensus
    • Confidence high Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus
  • Grades
    • Grade Very Poor Very Poor
    • Grade Poor Poor
    • Grade Good Good
    • Grade Very Good Very Good
Regional trends
  • Condition
    • Regional Conditional Fair Good
    • Regional Conditional Fair Fair
    • Regional Conditional Variable Variable
    • Regional Conditional Poor Poor
    • Regional Conditional Unclear Unclear
  • Trend
    • Regional Trend Improving Improving
    • Regional Trend Stable Stable
    • Regional Trend Variable Variable
    • Regional Trend Fair Decreasing
    • Regional Trend Fair Unclear

AMLR = Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges; AW = Alinytjara Wilurara ; EP = Eyre Pennisula ; KI = Kangaroo Island; NY = Northern and Yorke;
SAAL = South Australian Arid Lands ; SAMDB = South Australian Murray–Darling Basin ; SE = South East

Source: Government of South Australia (2012a)

Water use

Water use generally decreased during the drought, in part due to restrictions. It has subsequently been influenced by factors, including above-average rainfall, that have reduced demand for water.

Long-term planning and knowledge have improved (e.g Goyder Institute for Water Research).

A 2012 assessment of the state’s 67 water management areas concluded that, although 35 are managed within sustainable limits, 7 are not managed within sustainable limits and 25 are partially managed within sustainable limits.

South Australia’s water use receives an assessment of poor but stable. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Limited evidence or limited consensus

Water quality

Processes for monitoring and assessing the ecological condition of South Australia’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters are in place.

The extent and condition of aquatic ecosystems are variable, with many being in fair to very poor condition and few being in good or very good condition.

South Australia’s water quality receives an assessment of poor but stable. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Limited evidence or limited consensus

Water supply

Short-term rainfall has increased.

Water supply diversification, including wastewater recycling and stormwater reuse, has increased.

South Australia has the highest percentage of households with rainwater tanks in Australia.

South Australia’s water supply receives an assessment of good and stable. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Limited evidence or limited consensus

Surface water quantity and quality

Salinity levels in the main channel of the River Murray are stable, and those in Lake Albert have decreased. Recent high inflows brought floodplain nutrients back into the river, and good flows and flood turbidity suppressed algal blooms. Management of localised sources of pollution improved water quality.

Many of the ephemeral watercourses and wetlands in agricultural and pastoral areas have responded to above-average rainfall in 2010–11.

Main pressures are unsustainable harvesting and extraction in some parts of the state; dryland salinity, loss of riparian vegetation, intensive agriculture practices, and/or soil and streambank erosion in some parts of the state; climate variability and climate change; and changes in land use.

South Australia’s surface water quality and quantity receives an assessment of good and improving. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Groundwater quantity and quality

The number of water resource management areas subject to formal management arrangements is increasing.

Groundwater levels that declined during the drought are generally beginning to recover as a result of recent increased rainfall.

Groundwater-use levels and quality (including contamination in some areas) remain an issue.

There are significant knowledge gaps in relation to trends in groundwater extent and condition in nonprescribed areas.

Main pressures are unsustainable levels of use in some areas, changes in land use and climate variability.

South Australia’s groundwater quality and quantity receives an assessment of poor but improving. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Limited evidence or limited consensus

Water for consumption

Recent high flows in the River Murray and above-average rainfall improved the availability of water for consumptive use across most of the state.

Salinity levels in the main channel of the River Murray are stable, and those in Lake Albert have decreased. In pastoral areas, significant flooding in 2010–11 has recharged aquifers after the drought.

Initiatives through South Australia’s Water for Good strategy are diversifying water sources for consumptive use (including desalination, stormwater and wastewater reuse), and improving the allocation and efficiency of water use.

Consumption generally decreased during the drought. It has been mitigated by increased rainfall, and initiatives to reduce demand and increase the use of alternative water sources, including recycled stormwater and wastewater.

Anecdotal information suggests that a number of community supplies in the arid regions are becoming increasingly saline, with decreasing water levels in some bores.

Main pressures are unsustainable level of use in some areas; and sedimentation, eutrophication and pollution of water sources.

South Australia’s water for consumption receives an assessment of poor but stable. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Limited evidence or limited consensus

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