Water security and planning
Water is vital to South Australia and underpins our economy, our environment and our communities.
Water security is about having an acceptable quantity and quality of water for people, communities, industry and the environment that is affordable now and into the future. This is an essential element of sustainable economic growth, underpinning all sectors of South Australia’s economy.
Water planning
The South Australian Government is responsible for the efficient and sustainable management of the state's water resources. We aim to balance the demands for water for consumption, the environment and other non-consumptive uses at three broad levels:
- managing and controlling water resources on behalf of all South Australians
- prescribing water resources, granting entitlements to water and setting sustainable limits and caps on use
- providing individual rights to water.
Water resources are managed under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
Water security under climate change
Due to our climate and geography, we often experience low rainfall and droughts that can put our water supplies at risk. South Australia has a history of adapting well to the challenges facing our water resources and is recognised internationally for its capabilities in water resource management.
In the future as our climate changes and as demand for water increases, water security planning will help to make sure we are preparing for these challenges and making the most of opportunities to use our water effectively to support growth within sustainable limits.
In Adelaide, investment in recycled wastewater and desalinated water is already providing climate-independent sources of water in addition to water from reservoirs, the River Murray and groundwater.
In our regional areas, recycled wastewater, stormwater and desalinated water are accessed in addition to groundwater and surface water resources to provide water for towns and industries.
Access to secure sources of water will remain important to make sure we have the water we need to support economic growth, a vibrant and healthy society and healthy ecosystems across South Australia.
How South Australians can prepare for warmer and drier conditions, and, as a state, ensure long-term water security.
The statement outlines priorities to ensure our water resources continue to meet the needs of our environment, our communities and our economy.
Urban Water Directions Statement
This statement outlines priority actions to incentivise institutional cooperation, define roles, ensure supportive enabling regulation, and build a well informed community.
Barossa Water Security Strategy
A shared vision for the future of the the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, including strategic actions to improve water security to 2050.
McLaren Vale Regional Water Security Strategy
A plan for the future water to support the local economy, communities, amenity, cultural values and healthy ecosystems.
About water allocation planning in South Australia, and a link to the Adelaide Plains Water Allocation Plan.
Notices to restrict or authorise water
The Minister in South Australia has the ability to authorise the taking of water from a prescribed water resource for a particular purpose
Why water security matters
Water for the economy
Sustainable water management is a cornerstone of a thriving state economy where industry, people and the environment have access to reliable water supplies.
Among South Australia’s sectors identified for growth are food, wine and agribusiness, as well as energy and mining.
The state is balancing existing needs and planning ahead to enable the state to reach its economic potential. This means the state is providing the right conditions for industry to leverage its strengths to achieve the highest economic returns from available water resources. We are creating the right conditions to unlock opportunities for innovation, ensuring water-dependent industries remain internationally competitive, while maintaining supplies for the environment.
The state manages around $8 billion of water across 13,750 active and tradeable licences. These licences responsibly provide access to water for irrigated agriculture, manufacturing, energy, mining and petroleum, and meet the needs of livestock industries and domestic water requirements.
Water for agriculture and food production
Primary production is the largest user of water across South Australia and our carefully managed water resources support thousands of small to medium-size businesses.
Water supports horticulture, agriculture, viticulture, dairy and livestock. Food and wine industries are major contributors to South Australia’s economy and have significant growth potential as world demand grows.
South Australia is already a leader in efficient irrigation practices. Our agricultural and water supply industries and communities are skilled at extracting the very best value from our limited water resources.
Water security is essential to ensuring agriculture and food production can share available water and there is investment to open up new supplies where identified and available, and also to support industry development and adaptation.
Water for energy and mining
South Australia has significant deposits of copper, gold, iron ore, uranium, graphite and petroleum.
Energy and mining rely on water for camp amenities, mine site operations, industrial applications such as dust suppression, vehicle and machinery maintenance, drilling and hydraulic fracturing, separating ore and cooling.
Water is also used in de-watering processes, extracted as a byproduct of oil and gas production, and potentially extracted from pit lakes when mining operations cease.
South Australia has a robust regulatory framework to guide sustainable water management. For the energy and mining industries this provides certainty for future investment, attracts jobs, and demonstrates that energy and mining can be part of a sustainable future.
Water is provided under water resource management arrangements and within sustainable limits where water is ‘prescribed’, or via SA Water. Other sources like on-site reuse, saline groundwater and recycled water open up access to supplementary water sources for industry to help drive growth.
While demand for water continues to rise, South Australia remains committed to proactively managing needs, diversifying sources and planning for the future to head off potential demand pressures that growth in energy and mining can bring.
In South Australia, the environmental impacts must be managed and meet the expectations of relevant regulators and the community. This way, sustainable water resources can support energy and mineral development as well as households, stock, irrigation, manufacturing, Aboriginal culture and heritage, recreation, and the environment.
As competition for water increases across the state, particularly in the context of a changing climate, water and its availability will become increasingly important for the growth of the resources industries.
