Water use and information

SA Water manages water services in South Australia.

Their website has detailed information for households including:

• using greywater in the home
• how to save water in the home and garden
• sewer blockages
• fault reporting
• leak detection
• current water and sewerage charging.

The WaterConnect website has real-time data about water resources in the state:

• water trade and allocations
• water levels and quality
• drillhole and well locations
• raw data for scientific research purposes
• technical reports and publications.

Levels and flow

• Latest information about River Murray flows – Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website.
• Live River Murray water data from some 80 locations in South Australia – WaterConnect website.
• Overview of storage levels and flows across the catchment – Murray Darling Basin Authority.

Salinity and water quality

Managing salinity in the River Murray requires an ongoing effort by communities, individuals and government. Salinity levels and risks continue to increase despite investment in better irrigation management practices, water delivery systems and salt interception schemes.

Increasing salinity in the River Murray poses a threat to the many users and industries that rely on the water resource because:

• the River Murray supplies drinking water to most South Australians
• high levels of salinity in river water damages crops when used for irrigation
• high salt loads result in long-term damage to floodplains and wetlands
• high levels of salinity in river water lead to increased maintenance costs for infrastructure and industrial equipment.

For more information about water quality and salinity in our state visit the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website.

Groundwater Data online application provides information about wells, across South Australia. The water quality in wells varies and may affect their suitability for domestic or other use.

A farm dam is a structure designed and built to hold and store water for private use.

There are rules and regulations covering the development, construction or modification of a dam. These rules ensure water is shared fairly between water users and the environment.

If you are considering the construction of a dam or making changes to an existing dam you will need to apply for a permit through your local Natural Resources regional office.

Regional office contact details

• Apply for water licences and permits – Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website.
• Information about current permits, licences, allocations and approvals – search the NRM Register on the WaterConnect website.
• Unbundling water rights – Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website.

Water trading is the buying and selling of water access entitlements.

Information about approved water trades since 2001-02 is available on the WaterConnect website. It provides information about approved water trades for each prescribed water area in South Australia for each water year.