Water for people and communities

Having access to affordable and reliable water is essential for people and communities across South Australia. Our population is growing and we need to make sure we have enough water for our regions, towns and cities.

Since the Millennium Drought we have continued to improve our resilience by investing in desalination, recycled water and stormwater capture and reuse initiatives.

Water use levels are relatively steady since restrictions were lifted late in 2010. South Australians are also playing their part by conserving water and opting for water-efficient appliances, water-wise devices and rainwater tanks which reduce reliance on mains water. Water wise measures remain in place today as a reminder of the importance of using water as efficiently as possible.

Drinking water for most regions across the state comes through major pipelines from the River Murray, supplied by SA Water. In some areas, water supplies are from groundwater or desalination. SA Water undertakes long-term planning for future investment to secure water supplies in the years ahead. For example, new desalination plants for Kangaroo Island and the Eyre Peninsula will deliver drinking water for these regions into the future.

Some regional areas have vulnerable water supplies because of their remote location and reliance on rainfall. To overcome this, South Australia is investing in water supply upgrades in Aboriginal communities and regional towns to better secure local and reliable water sources.

Securing Adelaide’s water supply to 2050 and beyond has been delivered by diversifying into climate-independent supply sources like the Adelaide Desalination Plant and recycled wastewater.

A focus on urban water management will consider the most effective way to use our water sources to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Learn more about South Australia’s water resources.