Quick Links

Horse Flavivirus Survey Report 2011 (PDF 517.4 KB) or Accessible version (Word 836.5 KB)

SA Apiaries Program Review Report

Pigeon Paramyxovirus - Information and Advice

Avian Paramyxovirus - Media Release (14 September 2011)

Biosecurity Fee proposal

Hendra Virus information

Horse Neuro Disease - 30 May Update

Map – horses and Ross River Virus results - 5 May

Acid Drainage Issue - Media Release

Livestock and Exposure to Acid Drainage Water - FAQ

National Sheep Health Statement

NLIS Cattle

NLIS Sheep & Goats

Property Identification Code (PIC) application

Branding

Reporting Unusual Symptoms

SCAHLS (Sub-Committee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards)

Current Issues

Mob Based Movement

Horse Biosecurity Glovebox Guide (pdf)

Animal Health Australia

Monitoring of Acid Drainage Water in Lower River Murray

News Release

Hon Paul Caica
Minister for Environment &
Conservation
Minister for the River Murray
Minister for WaterSaturday, 5 March 2011

The State Government is monitoring the River Murray between Mannum and Wellington to determine the impacts of acid drainage water which has been discharged from some salt drains.

Acid water has been detected at nine salt drains in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area and further drains are currently undergoing testing. Some of the tested water is orange-brown in appearance and has pH values in the range of 2 to 4, and may also contain some dissolved metals.

Minister for the River Murray Paul Caica said the State Government immediately increased monitoring efforts as soon as the acid water was detected.

“Our investigations show that the acid water is quickly diluting and dispersing when it enters the River Murray, however monitoring efforts and technical investigations by SA Health, SA Water, the Environment Protection Authority and the Department for Water will continue,” he said.

“SA Health has established there is no risk to public health in the river channel, and SA Water has determined there is currently no risk to the public water supply.

“While monitoring to date does not indicate there is a risk to drinking water supplies, there may be some on-farm impacts. Landholders are advised to avoid direct contact or ingestion of undiluted drainage water. Biosecurity SA has also advised pH values in this range may burn livestock’s mouths so landholders should avoid putting stock near drains and provide them with safe drinking water.

“As a further precautionary measure, we are installing signs along the affected area and establishing access exclusion zones near the drainage outlets.”

Mr Caica said the acid drainage water is likely to be a result of the unprecedented low river levels during the recent prolonged and severe drought.

“We have already seen acid sulfate soils and water along the Lower Lakes, and this was a key issue dealt with by the State Government during the drought over a number of years,’’ he said.

“If it was not for the specialist knowledge gained and the emergency measures taken by the State Government during the drought, this problem of the acidification of soil and water could have been on a much greater scale, potentially with catastrophic consequences for the environment and local communities.

“Unfortunately, the emergence of acid drainage water is another by-product of the river’s recovery after years of extremely low water levels.

“This is another reminder of the importance of a Murray-Darling Basin plan that addresses over allocation and climate change for good so water levels never reach such critically low levels again.”