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About water in Australia

Changes in rainfall
& water systems

Water for cities
- State by State

Water for farmers

Water for the environment

References

Adelaide, South Australia

It can be said that South Australia is the driest State in one of the driest continents. Under predicted climate change, scientists predict that Adelaide's drinking water will exceed safety levels set by the World Health Organisation two out of five days by 2050 (Colepatch 2003).

Along with the Mount Lofty Ranges catchments, the River Murray is one of the most important sources of water for Adelaide (Watercare 2005). With predicted greater declines in stream flow, the security and quality of Adelaide's future water supply is threatened. At present, Adelaide residents source up to 16% of their drinking water from bottled sources, with 42% of the population being dissatisfied with the tap-water quality of the State's drinking water (BOS)

At current, 6 out of the State's 34 surface water management areas and 21 out of the 53 groundwater management units are classified as being highly or overdeveloped (DEH 2005).

Changes in rainfall & water systems: SA
Murray-Darling Basin