SA Feasibility Assessments

The following is a list of South Australian projects currently on the central register for water recovery measures:

• Water Recovery from South Australian River Murray Wetlands - Stage 2: the feasibility of generating water savings and environmental benefits
• A water supply for regional South Australia: Reducing reliance on the River Murray
• More beneficial use of in-valley water bodies
• Investment triggers for improved water use efficiency in South Australia - SA Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation
• Innovative market options - SA Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation

Water Recovery from SA River Murray Wetlands - Stage 2: the feasibility of generating water savings and environmental benefits

This project has now been completed and the final report is pending.

Left: Gurra Gurra Wetland - One of eleven wetlands to be assessed for water recovery potential.

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A Water Supply for Regional South Australia: Reducing Reliance on the River Murray

This project investigated the feasibility of replacing the supply of 12 GL/yr of water from the River Murray to recipients along the Morgan - Whyalla pipeline by constructing a seawater reverse osmosis plant near the top of Spencer Gulf in S.A.

Left: Point Lowly - potential location for a desalination plant in South Australia

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More beneficial use of in-valley water bodies

This project will investigate the potential use of in-valley water bodies for achieving joint water recovery and salinity management outcomes. A water and salt balance for a floodplain water body in South Australia will be developed as a desktop case study to test the feasibility of the concept.This project has now been completed and is under review by South Australia

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Investment triggers for improved water use efficiency in South Australia

This project will investigate the provision of funding for on-farm efficiency measures in return for agreed reductions in irrigator water allocations. The project will consider:

• the cost of redevelopment, where irrigators are in the investment cycle;
• the likelihood of uptake of reduction in allocation for dollars;
• the possible social and economic benefits and impacts; and,
• the possible multi-benefit approaches for targeted investment.

This project will investigate the business cycle for irrigators and identify the drivers for investment decisions on farm.  Points of investigation will include:

• where in the business cycle do irrigators decide to invest in redeveloping their farm?
• what is the cost to redevelop a farm?
• how is it determined if there is enough water on the licence to meet the redevelopment?
• if excess water is on the licence would it be traded for dollars or to the environment?
• What are the triggers for that decision?

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Innovative market options – SA

This project will investigate the potential for water recovery from entitlements in South Australia through a range of market based measures.  These include voluntary buy-backs, targeted purchases, options and lease arrangements.

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