Department for Water Resources
UNDERSTANDING THE SOUTHERN BASINS PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA
Draft Document
January 2001
Government of South Australia
This Document has been compiled by the Department for Water Resources in consultation with the Eyre Region Water Resources Planning Committee
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CONTENTS Part 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BASINS PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA ...... 1 1.1 PHYSICAL SETTING ...... 1 1.2 VEGETATION ...... 4 1.3 WATER RESOURCES ...... 4 1.4 RECHARGE TO THE UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA ...... 9 1.5 ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF WATER FOR ECOSYSTEMS DEPENDENT ON UNDERGROUND WATER ...... 10 1.6 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES ...... 12 Part 2: HISTORY OF WATER MANAGEMENT OF THE SOUTHERN BASINS PWA...... 18 2.1 DEVELOPMENT AND PRESCRIPTION OF THE UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCE ...... 18 2.2 UNDERGROUND WATER WITHDRAWAL ...... 18 2.3 UNDERGROUND WATER LEVEL AND QUALITY TRENDS ...... 21 2.4 METHOD OF ALLOCATION ...... 21 2.5 STOCK AND DOMESTIC USE ...... 24 Part 3: OUTCOMES OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... 25 3.1 CONVERSION TO VOLUMETRIC ALLOCATIONS ...... 26 Part 4: EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR WATER ALLOCATION POLICY.... 28 4.1 BASIS OF ALLOCATION ...... 28 4.2 WATER AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION ...... 29 4.3 CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATION ...... 29 4.4 BASIS OF RECHARGED WATER ALLOCATION ...... 31 4.5 CRITERIA FOR RECHARGED WATER ALLOCATION ...... 31 4.6 TRANSFER CRITERIA ...... 31 4.7 DRILLING , PLUGGING , BACKFILLING OR SEALING OF A WELL ...... 32 Part 5: ADMINISTRATION OF LICENCES AND PERMITS ...... 33 5.1 REQUIREMENTS FOR A WATER LICENCE ...... 33 5.2 SPECIFICATIONS FOR WATER LICENCES ...... 33 5.3 WELL PERMITS ...... 34 5.4: TRANSFERS ...... 34 5.5 PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN TRANSFERS ...... 35 5.6 REDUCTION OF WATER ALLOCATIONS ...... 36 Part 6: APPEALS ...... 37 Part 7: PENALTIES...... 38 7.1 BREACH OF LICENCE ...... 38 7.2 EXCESS CHARGES ...... 38 Part 8: EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ...... 39 Part 9: REVIEW OF THE WATER ALLOCATION PLAN...... 40 Part 10: WATER PROTECTION AREAS AND ZONES...... 41 10.1 WATER QUALITY IN WATER PROTECTION AREAS ...... 41 10.2 LAND USE CONTROL IN WATER PROTECTION ZONES ...... 41
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Part 11: EXTRACTION AND DELIVERY PLANS, AND ANNUAL REPORTS ...... 43 11.1 EXTRACTION AND DELIVERY PLAN ...... 43 11.2 ANNUAL REPORTS ...... 44 Part 12: MEASURING WATER USE...... 45 Part 13: REFERENCES...... 46 Part 14: GLOSSARY...... 48
FIGURES
Figure 1. LOCATION OF THE SOUTHERN BASINS PWA...... 2 Figure 2. SCHEMATIC CROSS SECTION OF THE KEY HYDROGEOLOGICAL UNITS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS ...... 3 Figure 3. VEGETATION DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE SOUTHERN BASINS PWA...... 5 Figure 4. GENERALISED UNDERGROUND WATER FLOW DIRECTIONS ...... 7 Figure 5. SUMMARY OF ULEY SOUTH HYDROGEOLOGIC TIME SERIES DATA ...... 13 Figure 6. SUMMARY OF ULEY WANILLA HYDROGEOLOGIC TIME SERIES DATA ...... 14 Figure 7. SUMMARY OF ULEY EAST HYDROGEOLOGIC TIME SERIES DATA ...... 15 Figure 8. SUMMARY OF COFFIN BAY BASIN HYDROGEOLOGIC TIME SERIES DATA ...... 16 Figure 9. SUMMARY OF LINCOLN BASIN HYDROGEOLOGIC TIME SERIES DATA ...... 17 Figure 10. ANNUAL VOLUME OF UNDERGROUND WATER EXTRACTION FROM THE SOUTHERN BASINS PWA FOR RETICULATED PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY ...... 19 Figure 11. UNDERGROUND WATER MONITORING NETWORK ...... 20 Figure 12. LOCATION OF THE SOUTHERN BASINS WATER PROTECTION AREA ...... 42
TABLES
Table 1. Assessment of the Capacity and Demands for the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area...... 22
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Part 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BASINS PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA
1.1 Physical Setting The Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area (PWA) is located south-west of Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula. It covers an area of approximately 870 km 2 and comprises all or parts of the Hundreds of Lincoln, Wanilla, Lake Wangary, Uley, Sleaford and Flinders. The boundaries of the area are presented on Figure 1. In general water resources are limited in occurrence throughout Eyre Peninsula. In the Southern Basins there is very little available surface water with one permanent and two ephemeral saline lakes and two brackish lakes that feed ephemeral watercourses. However, there are moderately good supplies of underground water. These underground water resources provide a large part of the reticulated water supply for Eyre Peninsula. The area is generally characterised by undulating topographic relief typical of an ancient dunal system with dramatic coastal cliffs and large internal drainage catchments. Ground level elevations range from 140 m coastal cliffs to inland depressions reaching near sea level to bedrock highs exceeding 200 m. The area incorporates the Kellidie Bay and Sleaford Mere Conservation Parks and parts of the Lincoln and Coffin Bay National Parks, which are managed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972 . Pursuant to this Act, management plans have been prepared for the Lincoln and Coffin Bay National Parks and Kellidie Bay Conservation Park (NPWS 1989). The underground water resources of the Southern Basins PWA are contained primarily within the Quaternary Bridgewater Formation limestone and the Tertiary Sand aquifers of the Lincoln, Uley and Coffin Bay Basins. Minor underground water resources are found within the fractured Basement rocks. The major resources are within the Quaternary limestone, in separate geologically controlled structures and include the Coffin Bay A, B and C; Wanilla; Uley Wanilla, Uley East and Uley South; and Lincoln A, B, C, D and D West Lenses. A schematic cross section identifying the key hydrogeological units of the Southern Basins PWA is provided is Figure 2. The water and waterworks reserves are managed by SA Water and are utilised for reticulated public water supply borefields. Underground water from the Southern Basins PWA provides the majority of Eyre Peninsula’s reticulated public water supply needs. The thin soils over the limestone promote rapid infiltration of rainfall that favours relatively high recharge rates in selective areas. Increased understanding of the natural processes operating within these underground water resources suggests that the primary source of recharge water to these aquifers is from infiltration of rainfall falling directly onto the land overlying them. The shallow occurrence of these underground water resources increases the vulnerability of the resource to contamination such that the water quality of these resources is easily threatened. This could be by inappropriate land use such as intensive stock production or by conscious or accidental waste disposal or chemical spill.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 1
EDILLILIE #
Tumby Bay District Council Tod Reservoir
Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council WANGARY # WANILLA # # LOUTH BAY
Coffin Bay Lenses # Big Uley Swamp COFFIN Wanilla BAY Lens Little Swamp
Uley PORT East LINCOLN Lens
Uley South Lens TULKA
Sleaford Mere Lincoln Basin Lenses
N
W E
S Prescribed Wells Area Boundary
10 0 10 20 Kilometers Quaternary Lens Boundary (approximate) # Township Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed, the Department, its agents, officers and employees make no representations, either or implied, Roads that the information displayed is accurate of fit for any purpose and expressly disclaims all liability for loss or damage arising from reliance upon the information displayed. SA Water Pipeline
Figure 1. Location of the Southern Basins PWA
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 2
Figure 2. Schematic Cross Section of the Key Hydrogeological Units and Their Relationships
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 3
1.2 Vegetation A relatively large area of native vegetation remains within the Southern Basins PWA (Figure 3.). The coastline is dominated by coastal successional vegetation, and originally Drooping Sheoak ( Allocasuarina verticillata ) Woodland dominated the calcrete plain with Mallee Scrub ( Eucalyptus diversifolia and E. gracilis ) on the sandy rises. Land surveys of the 1880s described the Drooping Sheoak Woodlands as being lightly timbered with a relatively open well grassed understorey with species such as Wallaby grass ( Danthonia sp ) and patches of black grass ( Gahnia langia ) and Spinifex ( Triodia sp ). Early pastoralists quickly recognised the grazing potential of these woodlands and the combined grazing pressures of domestic stock and rabbits decimated the woodlands by the 1930s (Bishop and Venning 1986). In comparison, the mallee scrub remains relatively intact. Between the 1940s and 1970s domestic grazing stock were removed from the water and waterworks reserves. Subsequently, some previous woodland areas were colonised by coastal heath plants, most notably Currant Bush or Coastal Bearded Heath ( Leucopogon parviflorus ) and Coastal Wattle ( Acacia longifolia var. sophorae ). The area overlying the Uley Wanilla lens has been significantly affected in this manner, changing what was relatively sparse to a dense shrubby canopy.
1.3 Water Resources
1.3.1 SURFACE WATER There is limited development of defined surface watercourses within the Southern Basins PWA. Overflow from both Little and Big Swamp catchments drains to the northern portions of the Lincoln and Uley basins respectively. Big Swamp has three sections, the first two have an underlying layer of Tertiary clay, and therefore the primary mechanism of discharge from these is evaporation over summer. During wetter years the most southerly third section fills, and the primary mechanism of discharge from this section is infiltration into the underlying Quaternary Limestone unconfined aquifer. Big Swamp is on the register of significant wetlands of South Australia, as it provides an important drought refuge (Morelli and de Jong 1996). A suggested management option to help maintain surface water flows to both Big and Little Swamps is the development of local water management plans by Local Government pursuant to the Water Resources Act 1997 . A Natural Heritage Trust project to assist with surface water management issues of these catchments has successfully gained joint Commonwealth/State Government funding. Sleaford Mere and Pillie Lake are saline lakes that are within conservation areas. The fringing vegetation associations of these saline lakes, such as South Australian Swamp Paperbark ( Melaleuca halmaturorum ) and Cutting and Thatching Grasses ( Gahnia spp ) represent important fauna habitat (NPWS 1989).
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 4
Figure 3. Vegetation Distribution Within the Southern Basins PWA
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 5
The Coffin Bay coastal wetland system encompasses the south eastern coast of Kellidie Bay, part of the Southern Basins PWA boundary. This area is listed as a nationally important wetland (Morelli and de Jong 1996) and is also identified as being of international importance, as it supports many migratory shorebirds species that are subject to international treaties (Watkins 1993).
1.3.2 UNDERGROUND WATER 1.3.2.1 Underground Water Occurrence The area’s geology is described in Segnit (1942), Johns (1961) and Wilson (1991). Underground water occurs in the main geological formations, which are Quaternary Bridgewater Formation Limestone and Tertiary Sand sediments overlaying a volcano- sedimentary basement sequence. The buried surface of the basement sequence is a series of north south trending ridges and valleys. The Quaternary Limestone and Tertiary Sand sediments tend to be thin over the basement highs, with relatively thick accumulations within the basement troughs. The majority of hydrogeological information presented hereafter is derived from Evans (1997), which reviews previous underground water assessments and provides the most recent understanding of the Southern Basins PWA underground water aquifers. 1.3.2.2 Quaternary Limestone Unconfined Aquifer The Quaternary Limestone unconfined aquifer occurs as isolated lenses with generally high yields and low salinity (< 700 milligrams per litre Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L TDS)). The Quaternary Limestone consists of fine shell fragments, which in some areas has developed solution features as well as secondary cementation. The latter is evident as calcretised horizons where evaporation of soil moisture and precipitation of calcium carbonate occurs. This aquifer has been primarily developed for reticulated public water supply. The major lenses of the Quaternary Limestone unconfined systems are divided into three distinct zones; Coffin Bay, Uley and Lincoln Basins. Topographic elevation is the major distinction between these basins. Underground water flow direction of these basins is depicted in Figure 4.
COFFIN BAY BASIN The Coffin Bay zone comprises three freshwater lenses; Coffin A, B and C. Principal direction of underground water flow is north-westerly towards the Cummins Basin and Kellidie Bay. Underground water discharge is evident as surface springs along the southern coast of Kellidie Bay.
ULEY BASIN The Uley Basin comprises three major freshwater lenses; Uley Wanilla, Uley East and Uley South and some minor freshwater lenses.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 6
Figure 4. Generalised Underground Water Flow Directions
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 7
The Uley Wanilla and Uley East lenses receive recharge primarily from direct rainfall infiltration. Big Swamp also recharges the Uley East lens when its third section fills (about two years in five), and during years of significantly above average rainfall (1956, 1968 and 1984 are the most recent) overflow drains south into the Uley East lens and then rarely into Uley Wanilla lens. This Big Swamp recharge component appears to be the cause of higher underground water salinity in the central zone of Uley East lens. Underground water flow is generally away from topographically high areas (i.e. near Big Swamp), in a westerly direction in the Uley Wanilla lens and a southerly direction in the Uley East lens. Underground water discharge from these lenses is understood to occur via downward leakage at the lenses southern limits into the underlying Tertiary Sands aquifer. The Uley Wanilla lens also has a northern outlet through an area known as Fountain Springs, where underground water previously discharged to the surface. This discharge has been controlled through construction of low permeability barrier and sump pumps. Current water levels in the Uley Wanilla lens are too low for the natural outflow from the Fountain Spring area to occur. The Uley South Basin receives recharge only via direct infiltration of incident rainfall. Dominant underground water flow within the Uley South zone is south-west towards the Southern Ocean and westward toward the sand dunes of Recent age within the Coffin Bay National Park. No underground water investigations have been undertaken beneath the sand dunes of Coffin Bay National Park.
LINCOLN BASIN The Lincoln Basin comprises of freshwater lenses; Lincoln A, B, C and D. Recharge to Lincoln A, B and C lenses is via direct rainfall infiltration. Principal directions of underground water flow are north-easterly within Lincoln A and northerly within Lincoln B towards Port Lincoln Proper. Discharge from these lenses is evident as surface springs near Tulka West. Underground water flow within Lincoln C is predominantly north westerly towards Port Lincoln Proper and south westerly towards the Southern Ocean. Recharge to Lincoln D is via direct rainfall infiltration and surface water inflow from Little Swamp, the latter being the cause of the higher underground water salinity in the northern portion of Lincoln Basin. Underground water flow within Lincoln D is southerly towards the ocean at Port Lincoln Proper Bay. The smaller Lincoln D West lens receives only local rainfall recharge and has a northward underground water flow direction towards Little Swamp. 1.3.2.3 Tertiary Sands Aquifer The Tertiary Sands aquifer generally occurs throughout the area, is predominant adjacent the Southern Ocean coastline and underlies the Quaternary Limestone unconfined aquifer. The Tertiary Sands aquifer consists of unconsolidated fine quartz-sands, has significant storage, a salinity from 500 - 5500 mg/L TDS, but poor to moderate yields. Due to the unconsolidated nature of this fine quartz-sand aquifer, extraction difficulties exist which have limited development of the Tertiary Sands aquifer to local stock and domestic supplies. The Tertiary Sands aquifer receives downward leakage as recharge from the Quaternary Limestone in the southern portions of the Quaternary Uley Wanilla/Uley East lenses, and represents the water table between these lenses and the Quaternary Uley South lens. In
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 8
this area recharge via direct rainfall is considered limited due to the dense eucalyptus vegetation present. In the north east portion of the Quaternary Uley South zone where the Tertiary clay aquitard is absent, the Tertiary system is hydraulically connected with and thereby receives recharge from that Quaternary system. Otherwise, the Tertiary system is generally confined by the Tertiary clay aquitard in the remainder of the Quaternary Uley South lens. Underground water flow within the Tertiary system is predominantly in a south, south-westerly direction towards the Southern Ocean. The Tertiary system is thought to be in hydraulic continuity with the sea, as observed oscillations in piezometric water levels coincide with tidal fluctuations. 1.3.2.4 Basement Aquifer There is limited information and understanding of the Basement aquifer. The underground water resource is found within a fractured rock environment, which is poorly defined and appears to be irregular in occurrence, salinity and yield within the Southern Basins PWA. The small level of development of the Basement aquifer within the Southern Basins PWA is primarily for stock and domestic purposes.
1.4 Recharge to the Underground Water Resources within the Prescribed Wells Area The water resources on Eyre Peninsula are dependent on local rainfall as the source of water. There is no regional inflow of water, either surface or underground to Eyre Peninsula.
1.4.1 QUATERNARY LIMESTONE AQUIFER The major lenses of the Quaternary Limestone unconfined aquifer are primarily dependent upon local rainfall falling directly on the overlying land for recharge. Surface water runoff from catchments adjacent the aquifers only contribute a minor portion of (usually poor quality) water to some of the Quaternary lenses. Water level behavior within the Quaternary lenses reveals that recharge occurs after intense rainfall events, where short lived overland flow allows the water to enter the solution features (sink-holes) and reach the water table rapidly. Research of the Uley Basin system indicates that these resources show an annual water level rise when they receive more than ten (10) days of greater than ten (10) mm of rainfall between the months of May and October. Of the annual rainfall it is estimated that between ten (10) and thirty (30) percent will infiltrate as recharge to these Quaternary lenses. As recharge to these systems is dependent on seasonal rainfall patterns, water levels show a strong relationship to periods of above and below average winter rainfall. Historic rainfall data has indicated that above or below average trends can last up to 25 years. For effective management of these resources consideration must be given to the recent climatic conditions prior to any utilisation.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 9
1.4.2 TERTIARY SAND AQUIFER Recharge to the Tertiary Sand aquifer is irregular. Where the Tertiary Clay under the Quaternary Limestone lenses confines the Tertiary Sand aquifer, the aquifer receives negligible recharge. Where this clay is non-confining the aquifer receives vertical leakage from the Quaternary aquifers and direct infiltration of rainfall. The unconfined Tertiary aquifer water level changes in response to seasonal recharge are muted relative to the Quaternary aquifers. This suggests that these systems may receive significantly less annual recharge than the Quaternary aquifers and that the time taken for recharging water to reach the water table is longer.
1.4.3 BASEMENT AQUIFER Recharge to this system is localised and irregular. Apart from vertical leakage from the overlying aquifers, recharge to this fractured rock environment is limited to surface exposures, usually where Basement highs occur throughout the PWA. The rate of recharge is variable and is a function of the geomorphology of the exposure, the degree of fracturing present and the composition of the Basement rock type (i.e. of metamorphic or igneous nature).
1.5 Assessment of Quality and Quantity of Water for Ecosystems Dependent on Underground Water The physical and biological environment needs to be adequately protected in the long term from any detrimental impacts of underground water withdrawal. Underground water levels and water quality should be maintained to; • sustain local ecosystems reliant on underground water; and, • to preserve the physical and biological values of the area. 1.5.1 UNDERGROUND WATER AQUIFERS Underground water flows predominantly toward the coast. The coastal marine zones are not considered to have ecosystems dependent on underground water. However a sufficient amount of underground water through-flow is required to protect the Uley South, Coffin Bay and Lincoln zones from intrusion of more saline waters from the ocean. Continued monitoring of the observation well network and managing withdrawals in accordance with underground water level trends is required to safe guard these fresh Quaternary Limestone reserves. Direct evaporation from low-lying areas associated with a shallow water table also accounts for underground water discharge, as well as transpiration (underground water use by vegetation).
1.5.2 VEGETATION Plant species of conservation significance within the area are documented in Bishop et. al. (1987) and NPWS (1989). None are likely to occur in vegetation associations dependent on underground water.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 10
Vegetation dependent on underground water for survival within the Southern Basins PWA includes Cutting Grass ( Gahnia trifida ) flats, River Red Gum ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) woodland and SA Swamp Paperbarks ( Melaleuca halmaturorum ) fringing saline swamps (Hatton and Evans 1998). All occur in areas with relatively shallow water tables. Neagle (1995) rates all these vegetation associations as having reasonable conservation status within South Australia. Prior to the introduction of the Native Vegetation Act, widespread decline of Cutting Grass was due to ripping and pasture improvement (Kraehenbuehl 1993). Cutting Grass flats represent an important food source for rare butterfly species (Grund 1997). Areas of Cutting Grass remain over the Uley South lens, where underground water quality is generally less than 700 mg/L TDS. Cutting Grass flats occur near the Cooroona Waterhole (about 10 hectares) and between Paradise and Charlotte’s Waterholes (about 8.5 hectares). The latter is down-gradient of the Uley South public reticulated water supply borefield, and a monitoring bore adjacent to the Cutting Grass flats (ULE 101) indicates underground water levels have been between less than one to three metres below the surface since 1976. Whilst it appears this vegetation community is under no threat from public reticulated water supply withdrawals, it is recommended that monitoring of the observation wells in the vicinity continue and photo-points be installed to help determine whether underground water withdrawal is causing detriment to the Cutting Grass flats. Grazed River Red Gum woodland remains in the northern portion of Uley East, in the area that receives overflow water from Big Swamp. During drier periods this woodland is likely to be reliant on underground water and subsequently observation wells and photo-points should be established adjacent and within the woodlands where any further development of the Uley East lens occurs. Another River Red Gum woodland also occurs adjacent the to north east portion of the Uley Wanilla lens near the Wanilla Forest. It is understood that underground water within this area lies adjacent to the main Uley Wanilla underground water system that has been developed for public reticulated water supply, and thus not influenced by those extractions. Any developments using underground water near Wanilla Forest would need to consider potential impacts to this River Red Gum woodland. A thesis on SA Swamp Paperbarks in a saline swamp environment in the Upper South East of the state concluded that the SA Swamp Paperbarks were reliant on underground water at different times of the year. The quality of underground water used by the SA Swamp Paperbarks was between 5000 – 40000 mg/L TDS (Mensforth 1996). It is uncertain whether this plant association would be dependent on the fresh underground water from the Quaternary Limestone aquifer within the Southern Basins PWA for survival. Further study of the relationship between the reliance of this vegetation on the underground water systems is warranted (post-graduate studies would be a suitable vehicle to achieve this).
1.5.3 WETLANDS Little and Big Swamp wetlands are understood to be reliant on seasonal surface water flows and not underground water (they occur upgradient of the Quaternary Limestone lenses). The southern shoreline of Kellidie Bay is part of the Coffin Bay wetlands, which
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 11
are recognised as having international importance for migratory shorebirds. The underground water soaks near Kellidie Bay’s southern shoreline result from underground water discharge from the Coffin Bay zone. These soaks are likely to be utilised by shorebirds and other fauna. Continued underground water discharge to these soaks is ensured, as Kellidie Bay Conservation Park is directly up-gradient. The park covers 1780 hectares with no underground water development. Using a conservative rainfall recharge rate of 40mm/a, the aquifer receives at least 700 ML of recharge annually. With the likelihood of no underground water development within Kellidie Bay Conservation Park, fresh underground water will continue to be discharged from the soaks near Kellidie Bay’s southern shoreline. Similarly Sleaford Mere, a saline coastal backwater, receives discharges from the Lincoln A and B lenses. No degradation of underground water dependent ecosystems has been observed, however the level of monitoring of this system is limited and needs upgrading to ensure future preservation. There are numerous small springs, both coastal and terrestrial, which occur within the PWA. Any development of underground water resources local to these will need to minimise their impact to these wetlands.
1.6 Alternative Water Supplies There appears little opportunity to import water to augment Eyre Peninsula’s public reticulated water supply. The 1989 South Australian Water Futures report costed a River Murray–Morgan–Whyalla pipeline extension to Port Lincoln at $3.10/kilolitre, with an estimated capital cost of $400 million with a maximum volume of up to 20 Gigalitres/a. Desalinisation of seawater at Port Lincoln was estimated at $3.50/Kilolitre, with an estimated capital cost of $425 million for a 60 Gigalitres/a desalinisation plant (EWS 1989). The 1989 South Australian Water Futures Report costed desalinisation of Tod River Reservoir water at $2.40/kilolitre, with an estimated capital cost of $14 million for a 5 Gigalitre/a desalinisation plant (EWS 1989). Better utilisation of localised supplies presents opportunities to reduce the Region’s reliance on underground water from the Southern Basins PWA. Aquifer storage and recovery utilising opportunistic water harvesting techniques and stormwater and effluent re-use could be used to augment localised water resources. In Port Lincoln, there is already a project under the Coast and Clean Seas Program. This project plans to explore the treatment of effluent, stormwater and wastewater from seafood processing for reuse.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 12
ULEY BASIN - Uley South Lens 9000 700 8000 Production Bore TDS (avg) n )
o 7000 i L t / c
6000 600 g a r m t (
x 5000
E y
t l (ML)
4000 i a n i u 3000 500 l n a n 2000 S A 1000 Uley South Lens Annual Extraction 0 400 900 800
700 To 600 Oct.2000 500 (mm) om 400 on fr viati 300 e De infall Annual Rainfall Annual tiv Ra Big Swamp mula thly s) 200 Cu mon unit ean iated Annual Rainfall M ssoc 100 (no a 0 9.0 WATER TABLE HYDROGRAPHS
8.0
7.0
6.0 ULE 109, 197 : Regional 5.0
4.0 7.0
ULE 188 6.0 Adj Prod Bore 2
5.0 ULE 114 : Adj Prod Bore Field 4.0
3.0 Water Level Elevation (m AHD)(m Elevation Level Water
2.0 6.0 ULE 193 5.0
4.0
3.0
ULE 102 : Regional 2.0
1.0
1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Figure 5. Summary of Uley South Hydrogeologic Time Series Data
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 13
ULEY BASIN - Uley Wanilla Lens 3000 700 Production Bore TDS (avg) Uley Wanilla Lens n 2500 ) o i L t
Annual Extraction / c
2000 600 g a r m t
Data (
x
E 1500 Missing y
t l (ML) i a n i u 1000 500 l n a n S
A 500
0 400 900 800
700 To 600 Oct.2000 500 from ation (mm) evi ll 400 ve D infa ulati ly Ra um onth nits) 300 C an m ed u Annual Rainfall Annual e t Big Swamp M socia 200 no as Annual Rainfall ( 100 0 WATER TABLE HYDROGRAPHS 98.0 ULE 020 97.0 Regional 96.0
95.0
94.0
93.0
92.0 85.0
84.0
83.0
82.0
81.0 ULE 036 Adj Prod Bore 6 80.0
Water Level Elevation (mAHD) Elevation Level Water 79.0
74.0
73.0
72.0
71.0
70.0 ULE 007 Regional 69.0
68.0
1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Figure 6. Summary of Uley Wanilla Hydrogeologic Time Series Data
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 14
ULEY BASIN - Uley East Lens 500 Uley East Lens Annual Extraction n o i t c a r t x E
l (ML) a u n n A
0 900 Big Swamp Rainfall Station 800
700 To 600 Oct.2000 500 (mm) 400 from iation 300 Dev fall Annual Rainfall Annual tive Rain mula thly s) 200 Cu Mon unit ean iated M ssoc 100 (no a 0 106.0 WATER TABLE HYDROGRAPHS
105.0 ULE 179 104.0 ULE 060 Adj Big Swamp 103.0
102.0
101.0
100.0
99.0 ULE 180
98.0
79.5
78.5 ULE 050
77.5 ULE 183 76.5 Water Level Elevation (mAHD) Elevation Level Water
75.5 60.5
ULE 086 59.5
58.5
1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Figure 7. Summary of Uley East Hydrogeologic Time Series Data Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 15
COFFIN BAY BASIN 200 500 180 n
160 )
o Production Bore TDS (avg) i L t 140 / c
400 g a r
120 m t (
x
E 100 y
t l (ML) i a 80 n i u 300 l n 60 a n S
A 40 20 Coffin Bay 'A' Lens Annual Extraction 0 200 900 Big Swamp Rainfall Station 800
700 To Oct.2000 600 500
(mm) om on fr 400 viati e De infall 300 lativ n Ra Annual Rainfall Annual umu Mea its) C thly d un 200 Mon ciate asso 100 (no 0 WATER TABLE HYDROGRAPHS LKW 027 : Regional
1.5
LKW 040 : Adj Prod Bore 2 1.0 Coffin Bay 'A' Lens
LKW 038 : Adj Prod Bore 1 0.5 37.0
36.0
LKW 022 : Regional 35.0
34.0
33.0 Coffin Bay 'B' Lens
Water Level Elevation (m AHD)(m Elevation Level Water 32.0
47.0
46.0
45.0 ULE 072 : Regional 44.0
43.0 Coffin Bay 'C' Lens 42.0
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Figure 8. Summary of Coffin Bay Basin Hydrogeologic Time Series Data
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 16
(4512) LINCOLN BASIN 3000 1400 Production Bore TDS (avg)
n 2500 ) o
i 1200 L t / c
2000 g a r m t (
x
E 1500 1000 y
t l (ML) i a n i u 1000 l n a n 800 S A 500 Annual Extraction 0 600 900 Port Lincoln PO Rainfall Station 800 700 600 To Oct.2000 500 om fr (mm) ion ll 400 iat fa ev ain D R s) 300 ve an nit Annual Rainfall Annual ati e u ul y M ted 200 um thl cia C on so M as 100 (no 0 2.0 WATER TABLE HYDROGRAPHS
1.5 SLE 047 : Regional
1.0
0.5
0.0
Lincoln Basin 'A' Lens SLE 052 : Adj Prod Bore A -0.5 2.0
1.5 SLE 030 : Regional
1.0
0.5 Water Level Elevation (m AHD)(m Elevation Level Water Lincoln Basin 'B' Lens SLE 037 : Adj Prod Bore F 0.0 1.5 FLN 042 : Regional
1.0
0.5
0.0 FLN 008 : Adj Prod Bore K Lincoln Basin 'C' Lens -0.5
1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Figure 9. Summary of Lincoln Basin Hydrogeologic Time Series Data Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 17
Part 2: HISTORY OF WATER MANAGEMENT OF THE SOUTHERN BASINS PWA
2.1 Development and Prescription of the Underground Water Resource Before European settlement, it is reported that several aboriginal groups (including the Nauo aboriginal group (Twidale et al 1985)) inhabited the southern portion of Eyre Peninsula (Dept. for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, pers. comm. 1999). The surface water bodies and fresh underground water soaks within the Southern Basins PWA were no doubt important to these aboriginal groups. Early European settlers (mostly pastoralists) also hand dug wells for fresh water supplies. Stock and domestic wells continue to draw underground water from the Southern Basins PWA. More significant underground water withdrawals from the major fresh underground water lenses of the Southern Basins PWA commenced in 1949, as the Tod River Reservoir supplies were no longer sufficient for the region’s growing water demands. Reticulated public water supply borefields were progressively brought into operation; Uley Wanilla in 1949; the Lincoln lenses in 1961 and Uley South in 1976. To permit this development, the areas were gazetted as water or waterworks reserves. In 1986 underground water withdrawal from Coffin Bay A lens commenced for reticulated supply to the Coffin Bay township. The Lincoln A, B and C water reserve was incorporated into the Lincoln National Park in 1989. In 1984 a review of Eyre Peninsula’s water resources was undertaken (EWS 83/45). This review highlighted the need to better manage and protect the underground water resources used for public reticulated water supply and the Southern Basins were prescribed in 1987. With prescription, land use surveys were conducted to ascertain the extent of underground water use for irrigation. Such enterprises were issued a water licence, with an allocation expressed as a maximum area of a specific irrigated crop. Permits for the construction of wells are also required. Public reticulated water supply withdrawals were authorised by the Minister under the Water Resources Act (current at that time). Stock and domestic use is exempt from licensing requirements and well permits for such purposes are generally granted upon application. The Minister approved the “Southern Basins Water Resources Management Objectives and Policies” in 1987. These policies generally conserve all the major fresh underground water reserves within the Southern Basins PWA for; • stock and domestic use; • irrigation enterprises which existed when the area was first prescribed in 1987; and, • existing and future reticulated public water supply needs. 2.2 Underground Water Withdrawal SA Water Corporation is the major underground water user within the Southern Basins PWA, withdrawing between 4350 and 8130 Megalitres of underground water per annum over the last decade ( Figure 10 ). Fluctuations in underground water use can generally be attributed to annual rainfall variations and also to the development of Eyre Peninsula.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 18
Extractions by SA Water from the Southern Basins PWA increased notably in the mid 1970’s, with the commissioning of the Uley South borefield which provides the majority of reticulated public water supply. SA Water’s withdrawals from individual Quaternary Limestone lenses are depicted in the uppermost graphs of Figure 5 to Figure 9. Water from the Tod River Reservoir is now always mixed with underground water to dilute its salinity.
9000 Coffin Bay A Lens 8000 Uley South Lens Lincoln Basin Lenses To Nov' Uley Wanilla Lens 2000 7000
6000 s e
r 5000 t
i DATA l
a MISSING g
e 4000 M
3000
2000
1000
0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 0 0 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 Figure 10. Annual Volume of Underground Water Extraction from the Southern Basins PWA for Reticulated Public Water Supply
There are 14 water licences within the Southern Basins PWA, of which approximately only half use underground water on a regular basis. A survey of licensed underground water use estimated that irrigation water licence holders withdrew about 128 ML during the 1991-92 irrigation season. Of this, the major irrigation users were; golf courses (about 111 ML), vegetables (about 11 ML) and lucerne (about 6 ML). Irrigation development is predominantly within the vicinity of Lincoln D, Uley East and the Coffin Bay A lenses.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 19
Figure 11. Underground Water Monitoring Network
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 20
2.3 Underground Water Level and Quality Trends SA Water Corporation monitors an observation well network primarily focussing on the Quaternary Limestone unconfined aquifer (See Figure 11.). The general trends have been underground water level rises and steady underground water quality (reflected in the “average production bore TDS”) associated with recharge events during the years 1969 - 1972, 1984-1985 and 1992 - 1993. Since 1993 there has been a general decline in underground water levels, as there has been no significant recharge (Refer Figure 5 to Figure 9). Underground water flow (discharge) and extractions are the primary factors affecting aquifer storage. The Uley Wanilla, Uley South, Coffin Bay A and Lincoln A, B & C lenses have been developed for reticulated public water supply. The Uley Wanilla lens has experienced dramatic water level decline due to previous over-extraction practices. Recent research has refined the understanding of the hydrological processes that operate within these aquifers and has determined the amount of water that is available for extraction with acceptable impacts to the resources. Underground water level decline has occurred in all lenses, irrespective of large-scale withdrawals. Uley East and Coffin Bay C lenses have generally only been developed for stock and domestic purposes, and yet the underground water level trends of these have also notably declined since 1993 (Refer Figure 7. & Figure 8.). This highlights how dominating effective rainfall is for recharge for both developed and undeveloped lenses. Also natural underground water discharge from the Quaternary Limestone unconfined aquifers is an ongoing process, irrespective of recharge. Since monitoring began, underground water quality has fluctuated within a small range, despite relatively large extractions from some lenses. The main reason for this is that most of these lenses are isolated from saline waters that could mix under the stress of pumping. The Lincoln Basin is the resource most susceptible to increased salinisation when over-extraction induces underground water mixing with the adjacent seawater. Salinisation of aquifers can be commonly associated with crop irrigation over unconfined aquifers, whereby the majority of water borne salts remain in the soil profile to be subsequently recycled back to the aquifer with recharge. Within the Southern Basins extractions for public water supply purposes of underground water, and associated water borne salts, are removed from the recharge area by the reticulated system.
2.4 Method of Allocation
Quaternary Aquifer The Water Allocation Plan will formally bring underground water extractions in line with annual resource availability. For this to be achieved, all new water allocations from the Quaternary Limestone lenses will be expressed as a volume (kL/annum) represented as a percentage of Annual Recharge, where the Annual Recharge may be varied through hydrogeological assessment, guided by underground water level and quality trends. The percentage of Annual Recharge will relate to the specific lens. Table 1 outlines the total
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 21
Table 1. Assessment of the Capacity and Demands for the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area
Long Term Annual Yield (e) Need of WATER RESOURCE Average Annual Underground Water Available for Allocation (c) Stock & Recharge Water Dependent (f) Recharge Recharge Ecosystems (d) Domestic Existing Public Water Unallocated Quaternary Aquifer Area (a) Rate (b) Licences Supply (g) Water (h) km 2 mm/a ML/a (i) Percent of Annual Recharge (j) Coffin Bay A 11 (l) 34 375 60 2 8 29 1 Coffin Bay B 7 16 110 60 11 21 0 8 Coffin Bay C 7 18 125 60 6 32 0 2 Uley Wanilla 37 54 2,000 60 1 0 39 0 Wanilla 1 20 20 60 5 30 0 5 Uley East 19 69 1,310 60 2 4 34* 1 Uley South 129 155 20,000 60 0 0 40 0 Lincoln A Lincoln B 45 56 2,520 60 0 0 40 0 Lincoln C Lincoln D 30 32 960 60 3 10 0 27 Lincoln D West 9 32 290 60 4 36 0 0 Minor Lenses (k) 150 40 6,000 60 3 0 0 37 Total 33,710 Percentage of Total Annual Recharge to Quaternary Limestone Lenses 60% 1% 1% 31% 7% ML/a ML/a Tertiary Sands Aquifer 3,240 2,915 140 N/A 80 105 Basement Aquifer 1,000 500 50 N/A 15 435
* Indicates Potential Total Public Water Supply Requirements
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 22
(a) The Recharge Area means the area of a lens of the Quaternary Limestone aquifer subject to recharge by precipitation. The values shown here are those determined for the whole of each lens as at December 2000. (b) The Recharge Rate means the precipitation on the land above the recharge area of the lens less precipitation lost to evaporation and transpiration. The values shown here are those as determined based on available historic data and represent the average behaviour of the lenses. (c) The Average Annual Recharge has been determined by comparing the results of hydrological investigations into the rainfall/recharge relationship, the rainfall and underground water chloride balance, environmental isotope analysis, and the response of underground water levels due to varying underground water extraction schemes. The listed volumes represent only underground water resources with a salinity of less than 1,000 mg/L TDS. (d) The Water Needs of Underground Water Dependent Ecosystems are based upon the current understanding of the water regimes that are needed to maintain the ecosystems dependent upon the prescribed resource, including their processes and biological diversity. (e) The Long-term Annual Yield is the amount of water that is available to satisfy the social and economic needs and demands for that water after the needs of underground water dependent ecosystems have been taken into account. (f) The consumptive demands for Stock and Domestic purposes are those demands that do not require an authorisation under the Water Resources Act 1997: section 7(5). The figures provided for domestic purposes are estimations based on a survey of the number of property boundaries that lie within the Prescribed Wells Area. An allowance of 500 kilolitres of water is set aside for each section of land excluding Crown Land. The figures provided for stock purposes are based on two dry sheep equivalent (DSE) per hectare of land that lies within the Prescribed Wells Area at a rate of 1.1 kilolitres/DSE per annum. (g) The quantity of water required to provide a reticulated Public Water Supply has been determined having regard to population statistics for the region and statistics detailing current usage of the reticulated public water supply within the region per annum. Those figures marked with an asterisk (*) in this column indicate potential future regional public water supply requirements. (h) The percentage of annual recharge available after the water required to provide a public water supply, for stock and domestic purposes, and the water allocated under existing licences has been deducted from the long-term annual yield. (i) ML/a refers to Megalitres per annum., where 1 Megalitre = 1,000 kilolitres. (j) For the purposes of Part 5 of the Southern Basins PWA Water Allocation Plan (WAP), Annual Recharge is defined in Principle 2 in Part 5.2.1 of the WAP (k) The Minor Quaternary Lenses include the areas of Mikkira, Fishery Bay and the Coffin Bay National Park.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 23
allocation set-aside for existing licences and for unallocated water (including water to be apportioned for Public Water Supply purposes).
Tertiary and Basement Aquifers Allocations for licensed purposes for the Tertiary Sands or Basement aquifers may be granted subject to aquifer testing to show that there is an adequate water resource available. The adequacy of a resource is indicated by the ability to supply underground water at a suitable yield without causing detriment to the resource or existing users in the long term. The allocations will be expressed as volumes (kL) available on a yearly basis as supported by the aquifer testing. Currently, these aquifers are primarily used for stock and domestic purposes.
2.5 Stock and Domestic Use Although no licence is required for stock or domestic use, provisions must be made for them in order to make appropriate allocations to other users. The maximum volumetric provision for domestic use from a well is 500 kilolitres per annum. The maximum volumetric provision for stock use from a well is 0.5 kilolitres per hectare per annum. According to the Act, a domestic purpose does not include taking water for the purpose of watering or irrigating more than 0.4 of a hectare of land, or taking water to be used in carrying on of a business.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 24
Part 3: OUTCOMES OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION Prior to the preparation of the draft plan, the Eyre Region Water Resources Planning Committee prepared a Proposal Statement in accordance with section 102 of the Water Resources Act 1997 . The Proposal Statement outlined the proposed content of the draft water allocation plan, any matters to be investigated by the Committee and any consultation that is in addition to the requirements of the Act. The public was invited to comment on the issues that should be included in the Proposal Statement before it was prepared and on the Proposal Statement when it was released. The Committee and the Minister considered the comments and made amendments to the Proposal Statement before it was finalised. During the preparation of the draft plan, the Committee invited the public to make written submissions and to attend a public meeting, in accordance with section 103 (5) of the Water Resources Act 1997 , to discuss the issues raised in the Proposal Statement in more detail. The Committee held a public meeting in Port Lincoln. The Committee considered all the comments made as the draft plan was developed. Overall, the community was generally concerned for appropriate management and preservation of the water resources as vital resources that must be managed and used sustainably for the benefits of present and future generations and to ensure the existence of the water dependent ecosystems. The social, environmental and economic needs of the water resources were identified. The social values include the recreational, historic, cultural and aesthetic values of the water resources and how important they are to the lifestyle of people living in, or visiting, the region. People have various views on the environmental values of the water resources, ranging from the intrinsic value (i.e. it has value just because it exists) of indigenous species to the importance of protecting non-indigenous species. The significance and importance of the economic value of the water resources was widely recognised and supported, but most people also recognised that this must be balanced with the social and environmental values. These were some of the comments made during the public consultation: • Consider irrigation licences based on area a disaster - no incentive to be efficient. • Changes to the Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council’s Development Plan permitting intensive use of water resources (eg irrigated horticulture) without any formal estimate of the resources ability to supply/maintain the environment. • Do we know how much underground water is actually taken out of the system? • Irrigators using pipeline water; possible solutions – • tiered charging structure where larger users, such as irrigators would pay more, or • increase price of reticulated water to $1/kL. • On one property - noticed bore water levels have dropped 10 – 18 feet over last 20 years. • Rainwater tanks a must. • Possibly install loggers on bores to monitor underground water levels/salinity levels as well as measuring the volume of underground water used - metering?
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 25
• Sewage water is currently available to take at user’s cost. • Desalinisation. • Harvest surface water during high flow periods. • If another underground water user affects a stock and domestic user, then that user should make good the supply to the stock and domestic user. • Stock and domestic users should definitely not be licensed or metered. • Pumping should be kept within sustainable limits with continued regular monitoring. • Cut out wastage and encourage more efficient use. • Socio/economic ramifications need to be considered. • Existing water users need to be considered (SA Water, irrigators and stock and domestic). • Consider the spatial distribution of wells to reduce likelihood of interference. • Increase the cost of water to ensure efficient use. • Users should monitor water levels and amounts used from their wells. • Salinity levels should also be monitored. • SA Water monitor monthly, other users could do the same. • We already spend considerable money to access underground water. • Possibly charge for excess water use, above a nominal stock and domestic allocation. • Everyone pay 1 cent/kL. • Reserves unlikely to be required for public water supply needs should be made available for other uses providing such use is sustainable. • Aim to assess needs of ecosystems in conjunction with efficient water use for economic development is commendable. • Monitoring of water quality/quantity will be required to assess needs of ecosystems dependent upon water resources. • Metering of withdrawals is important to better determine long term yields available from basins. • Area based allocations should be converted to volumetric allocations. • Costs of managing underground water resources should be stated. • Capacity share may be the best way to define allocations. • Commendations to committee on proposed integrated approach. 3.1 Conversion to Volumetric Allocations During consultation, the community expressed a desire for underground water allocations to be volumetric. As the method of allocation under this new Water Allocation Plan will volumetric, all area based water licences within the Southern Basins PWA will be re- issued as volumetric allocations and will be subject to the general licensing conditions detailed in the Plan. Current licences will undergo an assessment period (likely to be a three-year period) when they will be converted to a volumetric allocation. For the existing licences that utilise water from the Quaternary Limestone aquifer the volume of allocation will be expressed as a percentage of the Annual Recharge to the specific lens associated with each licence. For licences that utilise underground water from the Tertiary Sand or Basement aquifers the allocation will be as a volume.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 26
The purposes for converting existing licences include: • To encourage more efficient use and management of the water resources; • Allow greater flexibility to licensees for further development; • To enable licensees to irrigate the crop or crop area that they choose; • To simplify the management of each of the water resources within the Southern Basins PWA; and • To ensure greater equity and fairness to licensees.
The conversion of area based water licences may necessitate the direct measurement of underground water use by metering and the submission of an extraction and delivery plan by licensees, to include current irrigation development and any planned development. The extraction and delivery plan may necessitate area based water licensees submitting an annual report of monthly metered underground water use, along with underground water level and quality monitoring data; • To reflect the irrigation requirements of established development; and • To improve the knowledge of the capability of the aquifer to deliver such supply on a sustainable basis.
After an assessment period, area based water licences may be re-issued as percentage share or volumetric licences. It is anticipated that the information collected during the assessment period between 1 April 2001 until 31 March 2004 will be sufficient to determine volumetric allocations. However, if significant seasonal variation in rainfall occurs, then the assessment period may be extended. Meter readings, annual recharge rates, information from the extraction and delivery plans and any other relevant information will be used to calculate the volumetric allocations.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 27
Part 4: EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR WATER ALLOCATION POLICY The information in this section has been prepared as a guide and explanation to the principles of management provided within Section 5 of the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area WAP and aims to provide the community with an understanding of the rationale used in developing allocation policy. These explanatory notes cover the key policy topics.
4.1 Basis of Allocation Southern Basin WAP Section 5.1 Principle 1. Water taken from the wells in the Quaternary Limestone aquifer in the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area will be allocated by the percentage of annual recharge of the lens of the Quaternary Limestone aquifer that may be taken and used in a water use year. As the underground water levels in the Quaternary Limestone aquifer vary considerably due to the variable recharge from the recent rainfall patterns, it is impractical for this plan to allocate (and therefore guarantee) fixed volumes of water for extraction. This principle seeks to ensure that those who have a right to access the resource maintain their fair proportion of the available water. Principle 2. For the purposes of this Plan: “annual recharge” of a lens means the recent recharge rate of the lens multiplied by the recharge area of the lens, expressed as megalitres per annum; “recent recharge rate of the lens” in respect of any water use year means the precipitation on the land above the recharge area of the lens, less precipitation lost to evaporation and transpiration, averaged over the preceding ten years as set out in a Notice published in the South Australian Government Gazette by the Minister on about 31 October of the preceding water use year; “recharge area of the lens” means the area of the lens subject to recharge by precipitation as set out Table 3; The Annual Recharge of each lens is the volume of water that enters the resource each year. It is this component of the hydrological cycle that is divided into portions for use by dependent ecosystems, stock and domestic purposes and allocated for licensed purposes. The Recent Recharge Rate of each lens takes into account the actual recharge that has occurred to the underground water resource over the previous ten year period. It is deemed that, as these resources are responsive to rainfall variations, the most appropriate management should be attuned to the current conditions of the resource. The hydrogeological understandings of these resources are based on all available information to establish average hydraulic processes, however these long-term relationships tend to ‘smooth out’ the peaks and troughs in available underground water resources. Annual usage of these resources must be more sensitive to these peaks and troughs and so this approach of using the Recent Recharge Rate will ensure appropriate and responsive management.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 28
The Recharge Area of the Lens is the area deemed to be where the incident rainfall enters through the ground surface and infiltrates to the water table. This area is finite may spread across many properties. The proportion of the recharge area that lies within a property may influence how the underground water resource available for allocation may be divided up amongst new licensed allocations. Principle 3. Water taken from the wells in the Tertiary Sands or Basement aquifers in the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area will be allocated as a volume of water that may be taken and used in a water-use year. The underground water resources of the Tertiary Sands and Basement aquifers generally have a more stable storage component and receive a more regular volume of recharge. Therefore it is appropriate that allocation of this resource is by volume.
4.2 Water Available for Allocation Southern Basin WAP Section 5.2 Principle 5. The maximum volume of water available for allocation in a water-use year from a lens of the Quaternary Limestone aquifer is the percentage of annual recharge available for allocation as set out in Table 3. The allocation of underground water will be taken only from the recharge component of the resource, not from water held in storage in order to protect the integrity of the aquifer.
4.3 Criteria for Allocation Southern Basin WAP Section 5.3 Principle 11. The allocation of a percentage of the annual recharge available for allocation in relation to a lens of the Quaternary Limestone aquifer shall be directly proportional to the recharge area of the lens over which the relevant land from which the water will be taken lies. This principle allocates the water resource in accordance with the area of land held by a person through whose land the underlying Quaternary Limestone aquifer is recharged. Principle 13. Water shall not be allocated if the rate of underground water extraction will cause, or will be likely to cause, the salinity of the water measured at the proposed point of extraction to exceed the baseline salinity by more than 100 mg/L. To reduce the potential for aquifer salinisation, any extraction of water from an underground water resource will not be permitted if the rate of extraction causes the salinity of the water being extracted to exceed the baseline salinity by more than 100 mg/L. This principle infers that there will be monitoring of the baseline salinity by the licensed user in conjunction with regional monitoring of the resource. Principle 15. Water shall not be allocated if the rate of underground water extraction will reduce, or will be likely to reduce, the saturated thickness of the aquifer at the proposed point of extraction by 10 percent or more within any 12 month period. Principle 16. Water shall not be allocated if the taking of water will reduce, or will be likely to reduce, the saturated thickness of the aquifer within a 500 metre radius of the proposed point of extraction by 5 percent or more within any 12 month period. These principles seek to ensure that the method of withdrawal of water is appropriate. The extraction of water from the Quaternary Limestone aquifers is best achieved if the
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 29
demand is spread rather than concentrated at one point. These principles do not establish a minimum water level at which no further water should be extracted. The natural variation of underground water levels, particularly within the Quaternary Limestone aquifers, precludes the ability to set a minimum water level. Principle 19. Water shall not be allocated where the use of the water will have an adverse impact on another person’s right to take and use water. This principle is designed to reduce the risk of interference to neighboring underground water users. The integrity of the aquifer and the rights of other water users need to be protected. Principle 20. Water may be allocated to be taken from more than one point of extraction within the same Quaternary Limestone lens where: (a) variable conditions of the aquifer would render it impossible to extract water from a particular point on a continuing basis; provided (b) that the water to be taken from each point of extraction will not: (i) cause, or be likely to cause the salinity of the water measured at the proposed point of extraction to exceed the baseline salinity by more than 100mg/L; (ii) reduce, or be likely to reduce, the saturated thickness of the aquifer at the proposed point of extraction by 10 percent or more within any 12 months period; (iii) reduce, or be likely to reduce, the saturated thickness within a 500 metre radius of the proposed point of extraction by 5 percent or more within any 12 month period; (iv) have an adverse impact on another person’s right to take and use water; (v) adversely impact upon an ecosystem; (vi) cause salt mobilisation; (vii) increase the level of the water table. Natural conditions may cause underground water levels to decline to a point where the continual taking of water from the normal point of extraction is restricted or may cause detriment to the resource. To account for the natural variation of water availability within any one lens, this principle allows for the taking of water from other locations within a lens. Principle 21. Water shall not be allocated for irrigation if the use of the water will cause, or will be likely to cause, salt mobilisation and/or a rising water table. The focus of this principle is to ensure that the use of any underground water will not induce land salinisation. Consideration ought to be been given as to the appropriateness of irrigation on any land. Principle 22. Water shall only be allocated for irrigation where the use of the water shall achieve an irrigation efficiency of at least 85%. The plan seeks to endorse efficient irrigation practices. Principle 24. Water shall not be allocated for irrigation where the use of the water will occur over an unconfined aquifer recharge area. The practice of irrigation over recharge areas has been shown to result in the increase of aquifer salinity by the returning of dissolved salts from the irrigation water to the water table by recharging waters. The Quaternary Limestone aquifers are susceptible to this process and thus need to be protected. In some regions this will exclude properties from irrigation activities as they occur entirely within the recharge areas of some lenses.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 30
4.4 Basis of Recharged Water Allocation Southern Basin WAP Section 5A.1 Principle 25. The basis for allocating recharged water will be an entitlement to take, during a water-use year, a percentage (not exceeding 80%) of the volume recharged in the previous water-use year under a permit pursuant to section 9(3)(c) of the Water Resources Act. The process of underground water movement and certain aquifer characteristics dictate that a certain portion of water that is artificially recharged to an aquifer is ‘lost’ or irretrievable through the normal methods of underground water extraction. Principle 26. An allocation of recharged water must be taken and used within a period of three calendar years calculated from the 31 December of the year in which the water is recharged. As the natural underground water processes indicate that the retention time for water in the Quaternary Limestone aquifers is relatively short, water stored artificially in these systems cannot be expected to remain ‘available’ for any length of time.
4.5 Criteria for Recharged Water Allocation Southern Basin WAP Section 5A.2 Principle 27. Recharged water shall only be allocated where the taking and use of the recharged water will not cause, or will not be likely to cause: (a) detrimental effects on the underground water resource (including, but not limited to, increased salinity or pollution); (b) a decrease in the productive capacity of the land; (c) perched water tables; (d) waterlogging; (e) a decrease in the depth of water in a well within a 500 metre radius of the point from which the recharged water is extracted; and/or (f) adverse impacts on any ecosystem. The integrity of the water resource and of other resources, is to be protected.
4.6 Transfer Criteria Southern Basins WAP Section 6.2 Principle 28. Water shall not be transferred where the well of origin and the proposed point of extraction lie within separate Quaternary Limestone lenses. The Quaternary Limestone aquifer lenses are predominantly independent underground water bodies, (that is, they are not connected to each other). Each lens has its own recharge source and discharge process. It is therefore inappropriate for an allocation of water from one lens to be taken from another lens, as this extra extraction from the second lens would cause the long-term annual yield for the second lens to be exceeded. Principle 29. Water shall only be transferred where the taking and use of the transferred water will not cause, or will not be likely to cause: (a) interference with another person’s right to take water; and/or (b) adverse impacts on any ecosystem. The rights of other water users and of underground water dependent ecosystems need to be protected.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 31
Principle 30. Water shall only be transferred where the transfer will not cause, or will not be likely to cause: (a) an increase in salinity of the underground water resource greater than 100 mg/L above baseline salinity at the proposed point of extraction; and (b) a reduction in saturated thickness of the aquifer at the proposed point of extraction of greater than 10 percent. The integrity of the aquifer needs to be protected. Principle 31. Water shall not be transferred for irrigation where the land to be irrigated lies within the recharge area of an unconfined aquifer. As for Principle 24. Principle 32. Water shall not be transferred for irrigation where that irrigation would cause, or would be likely to cause: (a) salt mobilisation; or (b) an increase in the level of the water table. As for Principle 27.
4.7 Drilling, Plugging, Backfilling or Sealing of a Well Southern Basins WAP Section 7.2 Principle 34. The equipment, materials and method used in the drilling, plugging, backfilling or sealing of a well shall not adversely affect the quality of the underground water resource. Principle 35. Aquifers shall be protected during the drilling, plugging, backfilling or sealing of a well to prevent adverse impacts on the integrity of an aquifer. The integrity of the underground water resource is to be protected. Principle 36. The headworks of a well for the draining or discharge of recharged water shall be constructed so that recharge and draining or discharge operations can be metered without interference. There is to be the ability for effective metering of both extraction and recharge of water. Principle 37. A well shall only be drilled where: (a) it is located at least 500 metres from an existing well, natural spring, wetland or other underground water dependent ecosystem within the Southern Basins PWA, except where the well is to be drilled within a township as delineated in the relevant Development Plan under the Development Act 1993; and (b) it will not cause, or will not be likely to cause, salt mobilisation or a rising water table. Existing wells, underground water dependent ecosystems, the soil and the integrity of the aquifer are to be protected.
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 32
Part 5: ADMINISTRATION OF LICENCES AND PERMITS
5.1 Requirements for a Water Licence Within the Southern Basins PWA, authorisation in the form of a water licence or by notice published in the South Australian Government Gazette (section 11, Water Resources Act 1997 ) is required to take water from a well for any purposes other than non intensive stock and domestic use.
Application for a Water Licence, to Vary a Water Licence or to Transfer a Water Licence For all new developments of water resources, other than for stock and domestic purposes, a proponent must complete an Application for a Water Licence , pursuant to section 29 of the Water Resources Act 1997 . The criterion for a licence is the submission of an Extraction and Delivery Plan. To vary an existing licence , a licensee must apply in writing to the Water Licensing Branch of the Department for Water Resources. The criterion for the variation of an existing licence is the submission of an Extraction and Delivery Plan. Where a change in the location of a prescribed well is granted, there is no guarantee that the same volume of water, or quality of water, can be extracted from the new location. Such a change of condition of the licence is done at the risk of the licensee. To transfer a licence , or part of a water allocation or both, a licensee must complete an Application for the Transfer of a Water Licence , pursuant to section 38 of the Water Resources Act 1997 . The new water licence will state the resource from which the transfer was made. Fees will apply to process an application according to the Regulations. Application forms for a water licence, to vary a water licence, or to transfer a water licence or allocation, can be obtained from the Department for Water Resources. The Minister may assess all applications relating to water licences in accordance with the policies in the water allocation plan and the Water Resources Act 1997 . Application forms are available by contacting the:
Water Licensing Branch, Department for Water Resources, PO Box 2834, Telephone: 8204 9080 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Facsimile: 8204 8522
5.2 Specifications for Water Licences Where new water allocations are approved to take water from a lens within the Quaternary Limestone aquifer, water licences will specify: • the allocation as a percentage of long term annual yield from a specified lens, • the well location either by well number or Australian Map Grid Co-ordinates, and
Understanding the Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area 33
• the baseline salinity of the underground water at the point of extraction. Where new water allocations are approved to take water from the Tertiary Sands or Basement aquifers, water licences will specify: • the allocation as a volume available from a specified lens, • the well location either by well number or Australian Map Grid Co-ordinates, and • the baseline salinity on the underground water at the point of extraction. 5.3 Well Permits A well permit system enables the regulation of wells and their installation so as to protect the underground water resource. Hydrogeological information is analysed to increase knowledge about the resource. The difference between a permit and a licence is that a licence conveys a property right to take water, whereas a permit allows the holder to undertake an activity. The permitted activity may enable a person to access water, but the permit does not provide for an allocation of water nor does it authorise the permit holder to take water. A permit cannot be transferred or sold to any other person. Under the Water Resources Act 1997, a permit for well construction is required for all wells drilled in the Southern Basins PWA over 2.5 metres in depth or a well of a type contained in Schedule 1 of the Act. Applications in writing for permits for well construction can be forwarded to the Department. A fee will apply to process the application according to the Regulations. According to Section 9 (3) (a) and (b) of the Water Resources Act 1997 , a permit is also required for plugging, backfilling or sealing of a well, and also for repairing, replacing or altering the casing, lining or screen of a well. The criteria for receiving a well permit are that the applicant is the owner of the well, and is the owner or occupier or lessee of the property, that the appropriate fee is paid and information is provided regarding the proposed use of extracted water. Application for Permit for Well Construction forms are available by contacting the:
Water Licensing Branch, Department for Water Resources, PO Box 2834, Telephone: 8204 9080 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Facsimile: 8204 8522 5.4: Transfers There are temporary (where a water allocation is leased for a period of time) or permanent transfers (where the ownership of the water allocation changes from one licensee to another licensee). Of permanent transfers a licensee can either; • transfer the water licence(including its water allocation) to another person; or • transfer the whole of, or part of, the water allocation of the licence to another licensee or the Minister and retain the licence.
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As land and water ownership is now separate a licensee may sell his or her property but retain the water licence. If this occurs the new landowners do not have the right to take water from an existing well or wells, except for stock and domestic purposes. The new landowner must apply for a new water licence for their property from the Department. Similarly ownership of a water licence without access to the land overlying the water resource attached to that licence may occur. Access to land to construct a well is to be resolved between the licence holder and the landholder. The landholder alone is able to provide formal access to the land parcel. As the method for allocation is by volume, licensees with existing area based licences will not be able to transfer all or part of their existing licensed allocation until the licence has been converted to volumetric.
5.5 Procedure for Public Notification of Certain Transfers The procedure for the notice of application for certain transfers is outlined in accordance with section 40 of the Water Resources Act 1997 : 1. On receipt of an application for a transfer of a water licence, or water allocation, the department will assess whether the application for transfer is consistent with the relevant policies. 2. Where a proposed transfer is consistent with the policies, the Minister must give notice of an application to the public, and to those persons stated in the policies, in accordance with the regulations. 3. Where notice of an application has been given, any person who desires to do so may make representations in writing to the Minister in relation to the granting or refusal of the application. 4. Written representations must be made within 20 business days after: • the notice is given to the person making the representations; or • the publication of the notice in a newspaper circulating generally throughout the State. 5. The Minister must forward a copy of the representation (if any) made to the applicant. The applicant has the opportunity to respond, in writing, to the representations within ten business days after the relevant material is forwarded to the applicant. 6. The Minister must allow a person who made a representation and who, as part of that representation, indicated an interest in appearing before the Minister, a reasonable opportunity to appear personally, or by representative, before the Minister to be heard in support of the representation. 7. If a person appears before the Minister, the Minister must also allow the applicant a reasonable opportunity, on request, to appear personally or by representative in order to respond to any relevant matter. 8. The Minister must give each person who made a representation notice of his or her decision of the application, the date of the decision and the person’s appeal rights under the Act. 9. If an appeal is lodged, the applicant for the transfer must be notified by the Court of the appeal, and will be a party to the appeal.
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Please see section 40 of the Water Resources Act 1997 for further details on this matter.
5.6 Reduction of Water Allocations Water allocations may be reduced: • to prevent the detrimental impact that the taking of water may have on the ecosystems that are dependent on those resources; or • to ensure that there is sufficient water to meet the existing demand, or expected future demand, for water from the resource (including demand for stock and domestic use). The Minister may reduce the water allocations of the licences that have been granted to take water from a specific area or the entire prescribed area, where it may be necessary or desirable to do so. In accordance to section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1997 , reductions in water allocations may occur: • to prevent a reduction, or further reduction, in the quality of water in a resource; or • to prevent damage, or further damage, to an ecosystem that depends on the water in a resource; or • because there is insufficient water to meet existing demand or expected future demand for water in a resource. The Minister may reduce water allocations of the licences in a specific area, or the entire prescribed area, if it is necessary or desirable to do so; 1. Before making a recommendation to the Governor, the Minister must consult the Committee and the public in accordance to section 37 (5) of the Water Resources Act 1997 . The Minister must have regard to the views of the Committee and all written submissions made. 2. Where the Governor has approved a reduction of allocations, the Minister must reduce the allocation of all of the licences proportionately, or pursuant to a scheme set out in regulations made by the Governor on the recommendation by the Minister. 3. The reduction of a water allocation comes into operation at the expiration of seven days after the Minister serves notice of the reduction on the licensee(s). A licensee, or person, can not appeal against the decision of the Minister.
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Part 6: APPEALS a) An applicant may appeal to the Court against a refusal to grant a water licence, a well driller’s licence or a permit, or the imposition of conditions in relation to the licence or permit. b) An applicant may appeal to the Court against a refusal to grant the transfer of a water licence, or part of a water allocation of a licence. c) An applicant may appeal to the Court against a decision to reduce the water allocation, or to vary the conditions of the transferred licence, or the licence to which the water allocation is transferred. d) If authorised under the Act, the holder of a licence or permit may appeal to the Court against the variation, suspension, or cancellation of the licence, or the variation, suspension or revocation of the permit. e) A person who is subject to a direction by the Minister, or other authority under the Act, may appeal to the Court against the direction. f) A person who is subject to a restriction on water use under section 16 (5) of the Water Resources Act 1997 , may appeal to the Court against the restriction. g) A person who is expressly given a right of appeal by a provision of the Water Resources Act 1997 may appeal to the Court in pursuance of that right.
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Part 7: PENALTIES
7.1 Breach of Licence
Penalties aim to discourage a licensee from breaching the conditions of a water licence. All water users, including for stock and domestic purposes, have a responsibility to manage and use the water resources sustainably and efficiently. This is to protect the environmental, social and economic needs and benefits that existing and future users receive from the water resources. It is in everyone’s interest to comply with the water allocation plan’s policies. Penalties aim to discourage a licensee from breaching the conditions of a water licence. Where a licensee has breached their licence, then penalties apply according to the Water Resources Act 1997 ; a) A licensee who contravenes or fails to comply with a condition of his or her licence is guilty of an offence. b) If a licensee, or a person acting on behalf of a licensee: • takes water in excess of the allocation endorsed on the licence; or • contravenes or fails to comply with a condition of the licence; or • uses water taken pursuant to the licence for an illegal purpose, the Minister may cancel, suspend or vary the licence. The Minister must serve the licensee a written notice within seven days. c) If a licensee, or a person acting on behalf of a licensee: • has contravened an environment protection order under the Environment Protection Act 1993 ; or • has failed to comply with a clean-up order under that Act; and the Minister is satisfied that the quality of the water in the water resource to which the licence relates, has been detrimentally affected by the contravention or failure, then the Minister may cancel, suspend or vary the licence. The Minister must serve the licensee a written notice within seven days. If a person contravenes or fails to comply with a condition to which a water licence, an authorisation to use water or a permit is subject, they are guilty of an offence. A maximum penalty of $10,000 applies where the offender is a body corporate and $5,000 where the offender is a natural person.
7.2 Excess Charges Excess charges are to discourage licensees from using a greater volume of water than the allocation stated on their licence and to promote efficient water use. Where a licensee uses water in excess of the licensed water allocation, the licensee will be required to pay for the use of that excess water at the rate determined by the Minister as published by notice in the South Australian Government Gazette.
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Part 8: EDUCATION AND AWARENESS The Eyre Peninsula Catchment Water Management Board will be involved in programs to educate the community and raise awareness about the importance of using and managing the water resources sustainably and more efficiently. New information about the environmental water requirements, monitoring programs and any other investigations on the water resources will be provided to the community. The Board will liaise closely with relevant organisations, agencies and community groups to exchange information and disseminate the information to the community.
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Part 9: REVIEW OF THE WATER ALLOCATION PLAN The Eyre Region Water Resources Planning Committee prepared the Water Allocation Plan in consultation with the community pursuant to Part 7, Division 3 of the Water Resources Act 1997 . The Minister for Water Resources has considered all comments made during the consultation period before adopting the plan. The Act requires water allocation plans to be consistent with the State Water Plan. The plan will remain valid until it is reviewed or amended. It is intended that the plan will be reviewed after 5 years. The policies may be subject to change when the plan is reviewed or amended, based on new information about the water resources or the environmental water requirements. When the plan is reviewed, or if the plan needs to be amended, then the procedures that were followed for the preparation, consultation and adoption of this plan must be followed when the plan is reviewed or amended (Section 106 of the Water Resources Act 1997 ). However these procedures do not need to be followed in order to: a) correct an error in the plan; or b) achieve consistency with the State Water Plan, or a local water management plan if the Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council prepares one in accordance with the Act; or c) make a change of form (not involving a change of substance) in the plan The principles within the WAP will be evaluated to assess if the water resources are used and managed sustainably and if the objectives of the plan are being met. The evaluation process will be incorporated as part of the major review of the plan that is required after 5 years. The details of the evaluation will be developed prior to the review.
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Part 10: WATER PROTECTION AREAS AND ZONES
10.1 Water Quality in Water Protection Areas (ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT 1993 ) An important part of the management of water resources in South Australia has been the designation of Water Protection Areas (WPA) for locally and regionally significant surface and underground water resources, to complement measures contained in the Water Resources Act 1997 (See Figure 12 ). With the introduction of the Water Resources Act 1997 , water protection areas were revoked from the Water Resources Act 1990 and transferred to the Environment Protection Act 1993 . Where an application for an environmental authorisation or development authorisation is made for an activity within a water protection area, consideration needs to be given to the impact on the water quality of the water resources. Activities, which are liable to cause deterioration in water quality, should not be established within these water protection areas.
10.2 Land Use Control in Water Protection Zones (DEVELOPMENT ACT 1993 ) Initially, Water Protection Areas were designated under the Waterworks Act 1932 as water protection zones, which did not necessarily mean that these areas had been designated Water Protection Zones (WPZ) in a Development Plan for the purposes of the Development Act 1993, and its predecessor the Planning Act 1982 . In order to obtain effective control over future development, WPZ (based upon the Water Protection Areas) were designated within Development Plans with the intention to implement land use controls to prohibit activities that had the potential to contribute significant amounts of chemicals, nutrients and biocides to the environment. WPZ therefore allow for the planning and management of water resources which are essential for the future of our community by ensuring inappropriate development is not sited in areas, which will affect important water resources. The Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council’s Development Plan directs development within the Southern Basins PWA. This development plan incorporates the majority of the Southern Basins PWA as the Southern Basins Water Protection Zone (Figure 12). Within the Southern Basins WPZ, developments likely to affect underground water quality, such as intensive animal keeping and waste disposal depots, are categorised as non-complying. Non-complying developments require consultation with the public, Local and State Government agencies before Council can consider a development decision. The Lower Eyre Peninsula District Soil Conservation Board’s District Plan (1995) outlines land management priorities for the rural lands within the Southern Basins PWA.
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Figure 12. Location of the Southern Basins Water Protection Area
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Part 11: EXTRACTION AND DELIVERY PLANS, AND ANNUAL REPORTS The development of Extraction and Delivery (E&D) Plans by licensees aims to ensure (among other things) the collection of local underground water monitoring data. This will ascertain both the impact of underground water use and a better understanding of aquifer characteristics. The E&D plan will necessitate area based water licensees submitting an annual report of monthly underground water use, along with underground water level and quality monitoring data. Annual Reports will provide underground water monitoring data information which will help develop a better understanding of localised underground water resources, the impact on those resources of development and climatic fluctuations, and the quality of underground water being withdrawn. This information will greatly assist in the better definition of annual yields and aquifer characteristics. Where no suitable wells exist for underground water monitoring purposes, the licensee may be required to construct such wells, as advised by the Minister during the process of endorsing or reviewing E&D plans.
11.1 Extraction and Delivery Plan An E&D Plan acceptable to the Minister which details how the efficiency of the proposed water use will be maximised is to be provided. It may be a condition of licence that all licensees submit an E&D plan within 6 months of this allocation plan being endorsed by the Minister, or prior to additional development of existing water allocations, or the development of any new water allocations. An E&D plan of development may include, but not be limited to, the following; • siting of proposed new wells and/or existing wells which are to be used for licensed purposes; • methods to be employed to maximise efficient use of underground water; • in the case of irrigation, appropriate irrigation system and design, to include how irrigation scheduling will be undertaken (eg soil moisture and/or evaporation monitoring systems); • what water re-use options exist and which re-use options will be implemented to help reduce overall underground water consumption; • a report of the known hydrogeological characteristics of the resource associated with the licence, with depth to water level, depth to base of aquifer, aquifer yield and underground water salinity of the resource utilised by the licence being the minimum requirements of this report; and, • an underground water extraction, use, quality and level monitoring program. E&D plans will be subject to review by the Minister, who may require additions or changes to the plan, before such a plan is acceptable to the Minister. New or additional development of water allocations cannot be undertaken, unless an acceptable E&D plan pertaining to that water allocation has been submitted and endorsed by the Minister.
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11.2 Annual Reports All licensees must submit an annual report to the Minister, by the end of August each year, containing the following information: • the volume of water taken from each licensed well per month; • monthly rainfall (in mm) that fell on the property; and • quarterly underground water salinity and level data (where possible) from prescribed wells endorsed on a licence and other wells identified in the E&D plan from which underground water samples can be obtained. Annual Reports will provide underground water monitoring data information which will help develop a better understanding of localised underground water resources, the impact on those resources of development and climatic fluctuations and the quality of underground water being withdrawn. This information will greatly assist in the better definition of annual yields and aquifer characteristics. The data supplied by licensee’s Annual Reports may be used in conjunction with State Government Agencies’ observation well monitoring data to produce an Annual Resource Report . This report will provide an update of the status of the prescribed underground water resources, detailing underground water quality, quantity and usage level trends. The Annual Resource Report will be distributed to licensees and made publicly available. Both area based and volumetric licences will need annual reports prepared. Where no suitable wells exist for underground water monitoring purposes, the licensee may be required to construct such wells, as advised by the Minister during the process of endorsing or reviewing extraction and delivery plans. Underground water monitoring data is to be collected by the licensee as determined by the Department for Water Resources.
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Part 12: MEASURING WATER USE
To objectively manage the underground water resources some measure of water use will need to be undertaken. It will be the responsibility of the licensee to provide an accurate measurement of underground water extraction on a monthly basis. All licensed water supplies are required to be metered, in some form, to provide evidence about the performance and efficiency of water use to the user and to improve the understanding of the aquifer systems. It will also ensure a fairer sharing of the local resource within intensively developed areas. According to the Act, a person may not adjust or alter a meter without the authority of the Minister, or damage or destroy a meter. The Minister, or a delegated officer, may enter land on which a meter owned by the landowner or licensee is installed to read or inspect the meter. The Minister, or a delegated officer, may read the meter at least once a year. For ease of measurement and consistency between licensees it is preferred that water meters be installed on all licensed water supplies. Wells utilised solely for stock and domestic purposes do not require a meter. Wells utilised for joint purpose, i.e. for stock and irrigation purposes, should be able to differentiate between the water consumption for each purpose. Where a meter is deemed to be malfunctioning or not operating properly, the Minister may estimate the volume of water used by the licensee. Water licences should specify the conditions relating to water meters in accordance with the provisions outlined in Part 3 of the Regulations
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Part 13: REFERENCES Bishop, G.C., Buckley, R.C. and Fotheringham, D.G. (1987). Terrestrial Vegetation of the Eyre Coast. Prepared for the Coast Protection Board, South Australia Bishop, G.C. and Venning, J. (1986). “Sheoak Decline on Western Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.” The South Australian Naturalist. Volume 60, Number 4, pp 60-66. ERDB. (1997). A Regional Profile of Eyre Peninsula. Eyre Regional Development Board. Evans, S.L. (1997). Estimating Long Term Recharge to Thin, Unconfined Carbonate Aquifers Using Conventional and Environmental Isotope Techniques: Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Submitted for Master of Science Degree in Hydrology, March 1997. EWS 83/45. (1983). Eyre Peninsula Water Resources Management Review. Engineering and Water Supply Department of South Australia Report Book No 83/45. EWS. (1989). South Australian Water Futures – 21 Options for the 21 st Century. Engineering and Water Supply Department of South Australia Report Book No 89/4. Grund, R. (1997). Butterfly Conservation in Southern Eyre Peninsula, August 1997. Hatton, T. and Evans, R. (1998). Dependence of Ecosystems on Underground water and its Significance to Australia. Land and Water Research and Development Corporation, Occasional Paper No 12/98. Johns, R.K. (1961). Geology and Mineral Resources of Southern Eyre Peninsula. Geological Survey of South Australia, Bulletin 37. Kraehenbuehl, D.N. (1993). A Natural History of the Genus Gahnia, Family Cyperaceae . The South Australian Naturalist. Volume 67, Number 3 & 4. LEPDSCB. (1995). Lower Eyre Peninsula District Soil Conservation Board District Plan and Three Year Program. Mensforth, L.J. (1996). Water Use Strategy of Melaleuca halmaturorum in a Saline Swamp. PhD thesis, Botany Department University of Adelaide November 1996. Morelli, J. and de Jong, M.C. (1996). A Directory of Important Wetlands in South Australia. South Australian Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Neagle, N. (1995). An Update of the Conservation Status of the Major Plant Associations of South Australia. Native Vegetation Conservation Section, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia. NPWS. (1989). Lincoln National Park and Parks of the Coffin Bay Area Management Plans, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Planning. Proclamation Records. Lands Title Office, Department of Administrative and Information Services. Segnit, R.W. (1942). Final Report on the Uley-Wanilla fresh water basin, Eyre peninsula. South Australian Department of Mines, D.M. Rpt. Bk. 514/41. Twidale, C.R., Tyler, M.J. and Davies, M. (Eds) (1985). A Natural History of Eyre Peninsula. Royal Society of South Australia Inc.
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Watkins, D. (1993). A National Plan for Shorebird Conservation in Australia. Australasian Wader Studies Group, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union and Worldwide Fund for Nature. RAOU Report No. 90. From Morelli, J. and de Jong, M.C. (1996). A Directory of Important Wetlands in South Australia. South Australian Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Wilson, C.C. (1991). Geology of the Quaternary Bridgewater Formation of the Southwest and Central South Australia. PhD thesis, Flinders University of South Australia (unpublished).
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Part 14: GLOSSARY Act: The Water Resources Act 1997. Allocation: An approved allocation of water expressed on a water licence as a number of kilolitres (volume), or as a percentage share which can represent a volume of water, for a specified period of time, usually per water use year (as distinct from an area based allocation). Aquifer Test: A hydrological test performed on a well, aimed to increase the understanding of the aquifer properties, including any interference between wells, and to more accurately estimate the sustainable use of the water resource available for development from the well. An aquifer test should be conducted in accordance with the Australian Standard Test Pumping of Water Wells. Biodiversity: The variety of life forms: the different plants animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is usually considered at three levels - genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. Catchment: The land area contributing surface water to the flow in a watercourse at a specific location. The catchments for major rivers are commonly defined to the point where the river flows into another larger river or the sea (or terminal lake), and will usually include a number of sub catchments for the tributary streams to that river. In relation to individual properties, the area of catchment relates to the watercourses within the catchment, which may be more than one watercourse on a property and may not necessarily be connected. Department: Department for Water Resources Ecologically Sustainable Development: Integrating the social, economic and environmental implications of resource use and development so that the needs of both current and future generations can be met. Ecosystem: A community of organisms, that may include humans, interacting with one another and including the physical, chemical and biological processes inherent in their interaction and the environment in which they live. Gazette: South Australian Government Gazette Groundwater: See definition of Underground Water . Hydrological or Hydrogeological Assessment : A report provided by the proponent to support an application for a water licence. It describes the impact of the proposed development on any existing water user or the environment in the surrounding area. Hypogean: Growing or occurring underground. Hyporheic: Boundary zone between underground and surface environments.
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Intensive farming: A method of keeping animals in the course of carrying on the business of primary production in which the animals are confined to a small space or area and are usually fed by hand or by mechanical means. Irrigation: The watering of land by any means for the purpose of growing any kind of plant(s), excluding domestic use. Irrigation Season: The period between 1 July in any given year and 30 June the following year. Licensee: A person who holds a water licence. Licensing Year: see Water Use Year Minister: The Minister responsible for the administration of the Water Resources Act 1997 , who is currently the Minister for Water Resources. Phreatophyte: A class of vegetation, common in arid areas, which is capable of tapping the water table, often to substantial depths (tens of metres). Prescribed Water Resource: A water resource declared by the Minister to be prescribed under the Water Resources Act 1997 and includes underground water to which access is obtained by prescribed wells. Prescription of a water resource requires that future management of the resource is regulated via a licensing system. Property Right: A property right exists when the community supports and protects the exclusive use and enjoyment of an entitlement and allows that entitlement to be traded or passed to others Proponent: The person or persons, (who may be a body corporate) seeking approval to take water from prescribed water resources or prescribed wells. PWA: Prescribed Wells Area. Recharge: Artificial Recharge: The artificial diversion of surface or watercourse or other water (whether prescribed or not) to recharge underground water aquifers. A permit is required to divert water down a well, and a licence is required to take the water from a prescribed well. Natural Recharge: The natural infiltration of water from the surface to underground that has fallen on land as a result of precipitation. Regulations: the Water Resources Regulations 1997 . Reticulated Water: Water supplied through a piped distribution system. Riparian Zone: That part of the landscape that is adjacent to, that influences and is influenced by watercourse processes. This can include landform, hydrological or vegetation definitions. It is commonly used to include the in-stream habitats, bed, banks and sometimes floodplains of watercourses.
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Seasonal Watercourses/Wetlands: Those watercourses and wetlands that contain water on a seasonal basis, usually over the winter/spring period, although there may be some flow or standing water at other times. Surface Water: Water flowing over land, except in a watercourse, after having fallen as rain or hail or having precipitated in any other manner, or after rising to the surface naturally from underground. This term also refers to surface water stored in a dam or reservoir. To Take Water: To take water by pumping or syphoning the water; to stop or impede the flow of water over land for the purpose of collecting the water; to divert the flow of water in a watercourse away from the watercourse; to release water from a lake; to permit water to flow under natural pressure from a well; to permit stock to drink from a watercourse, a natural or artificial lake, a dam or reservoir. Transfer: A transfer of a licence (including its water allocation) to another person, or the whole or part of the water allocation of a licence to another licensee or the Minister under Part 5 of the Water Resources Act 1997. The transfer may be permanent or temporary. Underground Water: Water occurring naturally below ground level or water pumped, diverted or released into a well for storage underground. Water Affecting Activities: Activities referred to in section 9 of the Act . Water Allocation: In respect of a water licence, means the quantity of water that the licensee is entitled to take and use pursuant to the water licence. Water Dependent Ecosystems: Those parts of the environment, the species composition and natural ecological processes that are determined by the permanent or temporary presence of flowing or standing water. Water dependent ecosystems include riparian vegetation, springs, wetlands, floodplains, estuaries and in-stream areas of watercourses. Water Licence: A licence granted under the Act entitling the holder to take water from a prescribed watercourse, lake or well or to take surface water from a surface water prescribed area. This grants the licensee a property right for a specified allocation of water issued, and includes conditions on the use of that water. A water licence confers a property right on the holder of the licence and this right is separate from the land title or land ownership. A licence is not required for the following purposes: Domestic Use: The taking of water for ordinary household purposes and includes the watering of land in conjunction with a dwelling not exceeding 0.4 hectares. Stock Use: The taking of water to provide drinking water for stock other than stock subject to intensive farming (as defined by the Act Watercourse: A river, creek or other natural watercourse (whether modified or not) and includes:
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a dam or reservoir that collects water flowing in a watercourse; and a lake through which water flows; and a channel into which the water of a watercourse has been diverted; and part of a watercourse. Water Use Year: The period between 1 July in any given calendar year and 30 June the following calendar year. This is also called a licensing year. Well: (a) An opening in the ground excavated for the purpose of obtaining access to underground water. (b) An opening in the ground excavated for some other purpose but that gives access to underground water; (c) A natural opening in the ground that gives access to underground water.
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