Water considerations

EP_GW

Eyre Peninsula is one of the driest regions in Australia and does not have abundant water resources. The surface and groundwater resources support aquatic habitats, and are essential to the economy and society of the region. The supply of water of an adequate quality to meet current and future demands is a critical natural resources management issue for the region.

Competing economic, environmental and community demands for this water will continue to be a critical resource management issue facing the region. Dryland salinity, which has increased following land clearance in the region, has already degraded some of these resources and, if unmanaged, will have more effect on streams, wetlands and groundwater systems.

The Tod River on lower Eyre Peninsula is the only surface stream with a viable reservoir for reticulated water supplies. As a result of rising salinity levels, this water resource is no longer used. Groundwater supplied from the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area (PWA) and Musgrave PWA, which are managed with water allocation plans under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, (NRM Act), is the major sources of potable (drinkable) water for Eyre Peninsula.

The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board has begun preparing a single new plan to replace the two current plans, which cover the allocation of water resources with the Southern Basin and Musgrave Prescribed Wells Areas, as required under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.

The Southern Basins cover the Lincoln, Coffin Bay and Uley groundwater resources, while Musgrave covers the basins to the east of Elliston, including the Polda, Kappawanta, Sheringa and Bramfield lenses.

The new plan will be based on improved knowledge of factors such as groundwater dynamics, groundwater dependent ecosystems and the impacts of climate change and the results of an extensive program of community consultation.

In recent years the entire reticulated water supply for the peninsula, including domestic and stock uses, has come from groundwater basins located along the western and southern coasts, where rainfall is higher and readily infiltrates the limestone country after heavy rains. These shallow aquifers are vulnerable to low rainfall, over-extraction, seawater incursions and contaminations.

(Source- Eyre Peninsula NRM Board)

Key external links for further information

Link icon Eyre Peninsula NRM Board - Water Allocation Planning

Link icon Department for Water - Water Licensing and Trade