What are rivers and streams?
Rivers and streams in South Australia include all flowing surface
water. Some streams flow into the sea, while others, such as those
in the Flinders Ranges and far north of the state, flow into inland
lakes. Streams also interact with groundwater; springs provide
base flows for many streams. In times of high flow, water in streams
can recharge aquifers.
South Australia has low rainfall compared to the other states
and territories. This means that many of our rivers stop flowing
for part of the year and are reduced to a series of disconnected
pools. These pools are important refuges for aquatic animals and
plants. Smaller streams can dry up completely.
Several of our river systems are naturally saline, and can be
as salty as, or even saltier than, seawater. These streams are
supplied by saline groundwater and support unique ecosystems.
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Why are rivers and streams important?
South Australia's rivers and streams support important aquatic
ecosystems that contain diverse populations of plants and animals.
They supply drinking water for most of the state's people and
support much of our irrigated agriculture, manufacturing, food
processing and winemaking industries, not to mention being essential
for water-based recreational activities and ecotourism.
What problems are there with rivers and streams?
Pollution of rivers and streams, and reduced stream flow, may
compromise their environmental values. Pollutants can enter rivers
in diffuse runoff from urban and rural catchments as well as via
point-source discharges from industry. >>
More
What is being done to protect our rivers
and streams?
Policy and behaviour change
The Environment
Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003 is intended to
protect South Australia's waters from pollution. In the past,
laws protecting the state's water resources from pollution were
inconsistent and had little to do with the environmental values
of our waterways. The new Water Quality Policy brings South Australia
into line with the National Water Quality Management Strategy.
>> More
In the Mount Lofty Ranges, the Watershed Protection Office is
improving water quality through enforcement, coordination, on-ground
activities and education. >> More
The EPA has also released several codes of practice for industry
for best environmental management practice for some activities.
>> More
An environmental authorisation from the EPA is necessary before
certain prescribed activities can be undertaken. This is a requirement
of the Environment Protection Act. All wastewater treatment plants,
septic tank effluent disposal schemes and industrial activities
that could pollute water must be licensed. Licence conditions
may impose restrictions or require operational improvements.
Monitoring
The Environment Protection Authority's Water Quality Monitoring
Program includes 52 sites on rivers and streams. Samples are collected
from these sites every month, with the exception of the rivers
in the far north of the state, which are sampled every three months.
>> More
Links
Natural Resources Management in South Australia
Regional Natural
Resource Management Boards
Centre for Groundwater Studies
www.groundwater.com.au
National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality
www.napswq.gov.au
WaterCare
www.watercare.net
Waterwatch South Australia
www.sa.waterwatch.org.au
This page was last modified 25-09-2007
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