INLAND WATERS

Water Quality

Trends • Condition of rivers and creeks with respect to their nutrient and turbidity levels: STABLE generally in a moderate to poor condition.

• The change in river health as indicated by macroinvertebrates (with the exception of the River Murray): DECLINING due to the effects of the prolonged drought.

• Groundwater quality: STABLE throughout most of the state although nutrients remain poor in many regions and salinity is increasing in some.

Goal South Australia’s creeks and rivers support T3.9 Sustainable Water Supply: South important aquatic ecosystems that Australia’s water resources are managed sustain a diverse range of plants and within sustainable limits. animals. Some supply drinking water South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007 for much of the state’s population, particularly those linked to Adelaide’s reservoirs in the Mount Lofty Ranges. They also sustain much of our irrigated Water Quality and a agriculture, manufacturing, food

sustainable South Australia processing and winemaking industries and provide a focus for water-based zone they occur as mound springs and Inland waters include creeks and rivers, recreational activities and eco-tourism. seasonal swamps. wetlands, lakes and groundwater systems. The pollution of creeks and rivers and Also found along the coast as mudflats The chapter does not review the state of the reduced flow volumes compromise and salt marshes, wetlands are generally River Murray, which given its prominence is these values, which are also impacted areas of standing, rather than flowing dealt with separately. from natural disturbances such as floods, water. They can be permanently, Creeks and rivers are generally flowing prolonged drought and bushfires. seasonally or episodically wet and all water habitats, although they may dry out undergo varying degrees of drying seasonally. In the arid zone creeks may flow Wetlands during hot, dry summer months. only occasionally and can flood across vast Wetlands are the swamps, lakes and Among the most biologically productive areas, but typically the only aquatic habitats marshes found along rivers and on and diverse habitats on the planet, consist of disconnected pools. floodplains. In low-lying areas of the arid wetlands perform important functions

38 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

KEY FACTS

Partly wooded swamp, Cooper Creek system. Photo: Wetlands International.

Goyder Lagoon. Photo: Wetlands International.

that include the biochemical Impact of Deteriorating Water Quality transformation and storage of water, Drinking water quality and human health production of living plants and animals, and decomposition of organic matter. Many rivers and creeks in the Mount Many also have significant recreational Lofty Ranges and the River Murray Basin and tourism values, e.g. Coongie Lakes, are source waters that feed into major Lake Eyre and the mound springs in the metropolitan reservoirs and groundwater- Far North, and Blue Lake in Mt Gambier. based supplies. In the South East and numerous remote communities, Other wetland values include their groundwater bodies are also vulnerable spiritual and cultural significance for to pollution arising from overlying Indigenous Australians, importance land use. Densely wooded swamp, Cooper Creek system. in some areas for grazing stock, and Photo: Wetlands International. in others as sites for research and Deteriorating water quality potentially community involvement in monitoring impacts on drinking water quality, and sometimes managing specific affecting human health (the protozoan habitats. parasites Giardia and Cryptosporidium are frequently detected in the source ‘Groundwater is Wetland areas have however, been waters of major reservoirs), and increases extensively modified, filled and drained the public health risks associated with also fundamental to since European settlement and close water treatment process failure and to 90% of those in southeastern South additional treatment costs in some maintaining flows in Australia have been lost (Spiers 1999). instances. Substantial funding is being According to the Department of directed to the amelioration of these many of the state’s Environment and Heritage (DEH, 2003), risks by improved riparian zone and other approximately 30% of wetlands existing catchment management actions. creeks, rivers and before European settlement along the Fleurieu Peninsula remain, with just 1% There are potential risks to human of the original extent of wetlands in a health if groundwater contaminated wetlands.’ pristine condition. with disease-causing micro-organisms or a high concentration of nitrate from Groundwater fertilisers, stock and septic tanks is used for drinking purposes. Organic solvent South Australia’s groundwater resources contamination of groundwater can also are also critical to the state, providing be a problem for safe use of the resource. social, economic and environmental benefits. Groundwater provides a Reduced productivity significant amount of the state’s irrigation water for horticulture, agriculture and The use of irrigation water that has viticulture and is an invaluable drinking high salinity or boron levels can affect water supply to regions where there is horticultural and agricultural productivity little surface water run-off and effective by affecting plant and soil health. storage sites are unavailable. Damage to infrastructure Groundwater is also fundamental to maintaining flows in many of the state’s High salt content in water can corrode creeks, rivers and wetlands. water distribution systems and cause

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 39 INLAND WATERS

Brukunga Mine

Brukunga mine, situated 4km north of Nairne in the Mount Lofty Ranges, operated between 1955 and 1972 to extract iron pyrites minerals that was used for the production of sulphuric acid and superphosphate. Acid drainage from the exposed quarry floor, overburden dumps and metallurgical concentrating plant tailings in an adjacent valley polluted the Dawesley Creek, making water unfit for livestock consumption and affecting biodiversity in the watershed. In 1977 the state government accepted responsibility for rehabilitation of Brukunga and three years later commissioned a lime neutralisation plant to treat acid water. Nestlings of Nankeen Night-heron. From 1988, with the collaboration of schools and conservation volunteers, the once- Photo: Wetlands International barren tailings dams have received a cover of soil and have been progressively revegetated. ‘Poor water quality In 2003, water in Dawesley Creek was diverted past the mine, restoring downstream use for livestock and irrigation. Water collected from the mine site is captured before can potentially cause entering the creek and neutralised with lime, resulting in a gypsum-like mud, which is being progressively spread over parts of the old quarry and revegetated to stabilise permanent and it and reduce acid runoff from the site. irreversible damage to ecosystems and destroy valuable habitats if left unmanaged.’

The rehabilitation of the tailings dam area at Brukunga. Photo: PIRSA

damage to household appliances and survive, such as coastal springs and industrial infrastructure. underground fauna (stygofauna). Increased water treatment costs Recreation and tourism Deteriorating water quality can have Polluted water bodies jeopardise an economic impact associated with recreation and tourism activities and additional water quality management lead to closures, particularly after rainfall actions, including increased treatment events. Blue-green algal blooms, such costs to make the water safe and as those that can occur in Torrens Lake palatable for drinking. over summer months, may generate odours and be toxic, restricting Biodiversity recreation. Declining water quality will have an Elevated turbidity reduces recreational impact on the health of aquatic plant safety and the aesthetics of some waters. and animal communities, particularly pollution from heavy metals, high nutrient and salinity levels and extensive algal blooms. Indicators

Poor water quality can potentially cause CONDITION INDICATORS: permanent and irreversible damage to ecosystems and destroy valuable • Exceedences of water quality guidelines habitats if left unmanaged. Deteriorating for creeks, rivers and groundwater groundwater quality will have an impact The quality of water in South Australia’s on the ecological communities that creeks, rivers and groundwater is assessed rely on it rather than surface water to against national water quality guidelines.

40 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

• River health assessed according compared to the National Water Quality to the Australian River Assessment Guidelines (NWQG) for the protection of System (AUSRIVAS) freshwater ecosystems. Table 2.1 shows how the data was analysed Provides an indication of the ecological health of rivers and creeks by assessing Nutrient and turbidity data at each site the type and numbers of macroinverte- were ranked from highest value to lowest brates present. value. The 90th and the 50th percentiles, i.e. the median, were then selected from • The condition of wetlands the ranked datasets for comparison with Gives a rating of the condition of the NWQGs. Water quality was classified wetlands across the state. as good, moderate or poor with respect to these indicators according to the criteria shown in Table 2.1: What is the current The proportion of monitoring sites that Whatsituation? is the current situation? were classified as good, moderate or poor with respect to national guidelines was used to provide a water quality CONDITION INDICATOR: Exceedence of summary for creeks and rivers. water quality guidelines for creeks, rivers and groundwater The overall condition of the state’s inland creeks and rivers is summarised The Environment Protection Authority in Table 2.2. (EPA) collected monitoring data (approximately 3,300 samples) during There were 15 creeks and rivers in the the period 2002-07 from 52 inland monitoring program during the period monitoring sites across the state. Sample 1998-2002 and water quality at those sites sites included creeks, rivers and lakes but was reported in the 2003 SOE Report. Eggs of the Black-tailed Native-hen. excluded the River Murray and the Lower Comparing that data for the 15 sites with Photo: Wetlands International Lakes. One site provided insufficient data that collected from 2002-07 shows that for analysis. nitrogen levels have worsened although phosphorous concentrations and turbidity Macroinvertebrate samples were have remained at similar levels. collected at 43 of those locations for assessment with the Australian Rivers The water quality in creeks and rivers is Assessment System, which uses aquatic highly variable between different sites macroinvertebrates as indicators and over time due to the effects of winter of river health, to complement the rain events and summer draw downs. measurement of water quality indicators. Some creeks are significantly impacted The most important water quality by surrounding land uses, e.g. horticulture indicators were nutrients and turbidity, in Lenswood Creek in the Mount Lofty as they are strong indicators of pressures Ranges and consequently have much from land use. higher nutrient concentrations than those that are surrounded by native The majority of test sites were found to vegetation, e.g. Rocky River in Flinders be in a moderate or poor condition Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island. when nutrient and turbidity levels were

Table 2.1: Description of condition for water quality

Condition Criteria Broad interpretation th Good If the 90 percentile was less Water quality was better than than the WQG the guideline most of the time (at least 90%) th Moderate If the 90 percentile was Water quality was better than greater than the WQG, but the the guideline at least half of th 50 percentile was less than the WQG the time (at least 50%)

th Poor If the 50 percentile was Water quality did not meet the greater than the WQG guideline more than half of the time (at least 50%)

Source: EPA

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 41 INLAND WATERS

Table 2.2: Condition of water quality monitoring sites 2002 - 2007

Water Quality Indicator Good (%) Moderate (%) Poor (%)

Total Nitrogen 8 37 55

Oxidised Nitrogen 27 55 18

Total Phosphorus 31 49 20

Soluble Phosphorus 70 20 10

Turbidity 86 8 6

Source: EPA

Table 2.3: Relative condition of water quality monitoring sites 2008 compared with 2003

Water Quality Indicator Improving (%) Stable (%) Declining (%)

Total Nitrogen 7 66 27

Oxidised Nitrogen 0 80 20

Total Phosphorus 13 80 7

Soluble Phosphorus 7 86 7

Turbidity 0 100 0 Pollution in the North Arm East Drain, Wingfield. Photo: City of Port Adelaide/Enfield. Source: EPA

Note: Rounding of figures may alter total percentages

Some creeks contain elevated nutrient 2003 by the EPA found pesticides at 20 and turbidity through natural processes. of 151 monitoring sites. For instance, creeks in the far north and Several of the detected pesticides Flinders Ranges are highly ephemeral were historically used, i.e. de- due to the lack of rainfall rather than registered insecticides such as dieldrin water extractions and unsustainable and lindane, found at low residual water use (see the Water Quantity and concentrations in creek sediments. The River Murray chapters). most commonly found pesticide was Evaporating remnant pools can contain DDE, the main breakdown product of concentrated nutrients, suspended DDT, which is still potentially harmful. sediments and may have large natural The concentrations of pesticides phytoplankton algal blooms on the found were not likely to represent surface where available light is able a significant ecological or human to help develop and sustain highly health risk, although there is a need for productive pool habitats. Many of these follow up assessments to confirm that creeks, particularly arid-zone creeks concentrations are continuing that drain into the Lake Eyre Basin, are to decline. naturally highly turbid due to the fine clay There were a small number of pesticides minerals that are picked up as the creeks found in sediments that are currently cross floodplains and overflow channels, used in agricultural and urban and connect different wetlands and environments such as Chlorpyrifos and waterholes during flood events. Simazine. These chemicals generally The clays in these environments are breakdown over a period of weeks to resistant to settling in the water column, months and reflect recent usage rather which means turbidity can be naturally than the long life of historical chemicals high. that remain in the environment for These issues provide the context for why many years. locally derived water quality guidelines The EPA regularly monitors groundwater are necessary. through programs that target key A statewide pesticide survey of sediments resources and areas known to be in creeks and estuaries conducted in late under stress from significant pollution.

42 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

These key areas include the South East, due to urbanisation. In some cases in the Northern Adelaide Plains, Adelaide lower reaches of their catchment, the Plains, Barossa Valley, Willunga Basin creeks are simply stormwater channels and Eyre Peninsula. Groundwater with minimal if any ecological integrity in these areas varies considerably and habitat value. Water quality in such depending on the nature of the creeks, e.g. the Sturt and Dry Creeks, is groundwater system but the majority are considered poor due to high levels of rated as poor for nutrients and salinity. nutrients, turbidity and heavy metals, and Map 2.2 shows water quality classifica- highly modified flow regimes. tions for these key areas between June Some creeks higher up the catchments 2002 and February 2007. such as Lenswood and Sixth Creeks in A broad assessment of groundwater the Mt Lofty Ranges run through heavily monitoring across the state during the modified catchments with intense market period 2002-07 shows the proportion of gardening, viticulture and orchards. sites where water quality guidelines were The nutrient levels are often elevated exceeded as follows: and the creeks are considered to be in a moderate to poor condition for • Total Nitrogen 73% ecosystem protection. These water • Oxidised nitrogen 79% quality characteristics have not changed • Total phosphorus 25% significantly since 2003. • Salinity 44% (based on drinking water The Myponga River catchment is taste criterion) intensively used for grazing dairy cattle and a significant portion of the river has The Australian Drinking Water Guideline not been protected from this activity. Value for salinity is 500mg/L for good Water quality is frequently poor in terms quality water. These same guidelines Dry Creek, Salisbury. Photo: EPA. of nutrient concentrations, organic also suggest that water with salinity up to carbon levels and protozoan 1,000mg/L may be suitable for drinking, contamination, although the turbidity depending on the chemistry present. is usually considered good. It should be noted that the drinking water guideline of 1,000mg/L was used The North Para River runs through the to calculate the salinity assessment Barossa Valley, which is extensively and this has led to a large number of used for viticulture and grazing. While exceedences; but this concentration is nutrient concentrations are considered based on a taste criterion and not any poor particularly as the river system ecosystem protection consideration. flows downstream and reaches Gawler, the turbidity levels are generally good On the whole, there has been no throughout. These water quality charac- significant change in groundwater teristics have not changed significantly quality statewide since the 2003 State since 2003. of the Environment Report (SoE). Nutrients (mostly nitrogen species) In contrast the nearby South Para River is are still classified as poor for several in somewhat better condition, a situation groundwater bodies and salinity attributable to its catchment having has increased in some regions due significant natural vegetation along with to continued pressure from heavy forestry plantations and some grazing on extractions and poor irrigation practices. unmodified pastures. There are eight Natural Resources Water quality in the Fleurieu Peninsula Management (NRM) Regions in South creeks is influenced by mixed agricultural Australia (www.nrm.sa.gov.au), each land uses such as dairying, broadacre having a Regional Board and respon- cropping, forestry and urbanisation. sibilities for managing water quality The Hindmarsh and Inman Rivers are in issues and other natural resources. The moderate to poor condition due to high condition and trends in groundwater are nutrient levels, although the turbidities in discussed in further detail in the relevant these waters are generally good. NRM regional sections following. Salinity levels throughout the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Region are highly variable, with maximum levels Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges in the 3,000-5,000mg/L range being NRM Region measured in the North Para River, Inman Creeks that pass through the River and upper reaches of the Torrens metropolitan area of the Adelaide Plains River (upstream from the water transfer have all been substantially modified point from the River Murray). These high

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 43 INLAND WATERS

salinities are often due to naturally unconfined aquifer is most widely used saline groundwater that flows into creek and is at greatest risk of being affected systems, as well as evaporation of surface by pollution from past and present waters during extended dry periods and agricultural and industrial sources, the contraction of surface waters to because in places the watertable is isolated in-stream pools. within five metres of the surface. A thorough assessment of salinity trends Groundwater contamination within the in the Mt Lofty Ranges may be timely. The unconfined aquifer results from either impact of climate change and the lower point or diffuse source contamination. yields as a result of increasing farm dams Point source contamination of the are two issues that warrant attention. aquifer has occurred due to the disposal of waste from industries such as Groundwater quality in the Adelaide dairies, timber mills, gasworks, cheese and Mount Lofty Ranges is variable factories, abattoirs and septic disposal. depending on the nature of the aquifer system from where the groundwater The 2003 SoE provided detailed is sourced. The Adelaide Plains and monitoring data relating to Northern Adelaide Plains where groundwater quality and raised issues groundwater is mostly sourced from such as increasing salinity in some areas confined tertiary aquifers were classified and widespread nitrate contamination. as good for nutrients, whereas the Salinity is still increasing around Tatiara, Barossa Valley and Willunga Basin were Padthaway and the area between classified as poor (mostly Penola and Naracoorte. Approximately for nitrate). one third of all bores show a salinity increase greater than 10mg/L per year. The intensive land uses in the latter areas are likely to contribute to the These increases are likely to be due EPA officers collecting water samples from the nutrient contamination revealed by the to a combination of historic native River Torrens. Photo: EPA monitoring data. These areas consist of vegetation clearance, local hydro- a mixture of unconfined and confined geological conditions and recycling aquifers with the unconfined systems of irrigation drainage water. However, being more susceptible to pollution as water allocation in the South East through fertiliser run off and infiltration to is based on theoretical crop water the watertable. requirements and not total volumetric extractions, it is difficult to isolate the Groundwater in the Northern Adelaide dominant cause of salinity increases in Plains and the Willunga Basin has not each groundwater management area. significantly changed since the 2003 SoE. Localised increases in salinity remain the Major conclusions that can be drawn major water quality issue for these regions from the information presented in Map due to the resource being used at or 2.2 are: above the estimated sustainable limit • Salinity levels were generally rated (more information on this can be found in as poor in most locations for drinking the Water Quantity chapter). and irrigation purposes, with the exception of Mount Gambier South East NRM Region and the Blue Lake. High salinity The rivers and creeks in the South East levels tend to occur in the lower region vary in their condition from rainfall areas of the upper South good through to poor, depending on East, particularly around Keith and the specific nature of the individual Tatiara. Parts of the Padthaway catchments. The oxidised and total irrigation area also have high nitrogen concentrations are most likely to salinity levels that are likely due to exceed water quality guidelines. a combination of historic native vegetation clearance and recycling Groundwater in the state’s South East is of irrigation drainage water. The an important resource for agriculture and elevated groundwater salinity levels industry and is the major source of the at Padthaway in particular are region’s drinking water. The groundwater approaching the practical limits is sourced from both the upper for the irrigation of vines that could unconfined aquifer and lower confined result in a decline in yield aquifers. and quality. The EPA mostly monitors water • High nutrients, especially nitrate quality in the unconfined aquifer and and nitrite, pose a threat to Department of Water Land Biodiversity ecosystem health across the South and Conservation (DWLBC) monitors salinity in both types of aquifer. The

44 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

Map 2.1: Creeks and rivers water quality, 1 Angas River monitoring sites in South 2 Arkaroola Creek Australia, 2002-2007 3 Blackford drain 4 Bremer River, Wanstead Road 5 Bremer River, Hartley 6 Broughton River 7 Bunyeroo Creek 8 Cooper Creek 48 9 Cygnet River, Bark Hut Road 51 10 Cygnet River, Stokes Bay Road 11 The Deep Creek 12 Drain L 8 13 Drain M 34 14 Dry Creek 15 Dutton River 16 Eight Mile Creek 17 Finniss River, Winery Road 18 Finniss River, Yundi 19 First Creek 20 Hill River 21 Hindmarsh River Coober Pedy 22 Inman River 23 Kanyaka Creek 24 Lenswood Creek 25 Light River 28 26 Little Para River 27 Mambray Creek 28 Margaret Creek 29 Marne River, Mannum Road 2 30 Marne River, Cambrai 31 Middle River Roxby Downs 32 Mosquito Creek 33 Myponga River 34 Neales River 35 North Para River, Penrice 36 North Para River, Turretfield 7 37 Onkaparinga River 38 Rocky River 39 Scotts Creek 40 Sixth Creek 41 Skillogallee Creek 49 42 South Para River 23 43 Tod River, Koppio Port Augusta 44 Tod River, White Flat 45 Torrens Lake 46 Torrens River 47 Wakefield River Whyalla 27 48 Warburton Creek Port PIrie 49 Willochra Creek 50 Wilson River 6 51 Yardaparinna Creek 20 15 Wallaroo 41 47 Renmark 43 25 44 36 35 Port LIncoln 30 29 See 25 Enlargement Nuriootpa 35 36 Gawler 30 42 9 26 31 10 38 50 14 45 46 Adelaide 24 40 Water Quality Classification Bordertown 0 20 km 19 Mount Barker Good 39 3

Moderate 12 37 5 4 Murray Bridge 0 40 80 120 km 18 Poor 32 1 Mount 33 Major waterbody 17 13 Gambier 21 Data Source: Environment 22 Watercourse Protection Authority SPAR ID: 27768 11 Victor 16 Harbor Major road

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 45 INLAND WATERS

East. As reported in the 2003 SoE, low domestic and agricultural use in the Arid level nitrate contamination of the Lands Region, although its salinity can unconfined aquifer is widespread restrict its use in some areas. and exceeds the National Health and Medical Research Council’s drinking Eyre Peninsula NRM Region water guidelines in a number of areas, Eyre Peninsula creeks and rivers are particularly at Coonawarra and to mostly located in the south-eastern the south and southeast of Mount area and are in a good or moderate Gambier. A variety of causes for this condition with respect to nutrient contamination have been suggested, concentrations and turbidity and all including point sources of pollution parameters exceed guideline values and diffuse pollution such as fertiliser at times. run-off from intensive agricultural practices. Groundwater is by far the most important water resource for domestic • Inappropriate pesticide use has and agricultural use on Eyre Peninsula. resulted in groundwater contamination The quality of groundwater is mainly to the extent that organochlorine and focused on salinity levels, which triazine pesticides have been detected are quite variable and in excess of in groundwater in parts of the region. It 20,000mg/L in some areas. There is also should be noted that current sampling the potential for nutrient and bacterial and analytical methods limit the contamination of shallow groundwater effective measurement of pesticides due to the undesirable practice of in the environment. More advanced digging groundwater access trenches techniques for pesticide detection are for stock watering. currently being investigated. Flinders Ranges. Kangaroo Island NRM Region Northern and Yorke NRM Region Kangaroo Island’s creeks and rivers are in a good or moderate condition ‘Groundwater is a very Creeks and rivers in the Northern and with respect to nutrient concentrations Yorke region are generally in a moderate and turbidity, with total nitrogen the important resource condition with respect to nutrient most likely to exceed guideline values. concentrations and turbidity, with total Most catchments are considered to be for agricultural use nitrogen concentrations most frequently quite healthy, with reasonable riparian exceeding its guideline value. vegetation coverage, particularly in the although it is inherently The creeks in the Flinders Ranges such as central and western areas of the island. Willochra Creek, are in a generally good There are very few reliable sources of difficult to quantify condition although the Broughton and groundwater of sufficient quality for Wakefield Creeks are substantially more irrigation or potable supply on Kangaroo and model effectively, degraded. Island. Research on interactions particularly in the Groundwater is a very important resource between groundwater and surface for agricultural use although it is inherently water dynamics has provided improved difficult to quantify and model effectively, understanding of where groundwater fractured rock aquifers particularly in the fractured rock aquifers sources provide base flow to sustain that dominate the region. permanent pools and low flows during that dominate the summer periods.

region.’ South Australian Arid Lands NRM Region South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Creeks in the state’s far north are in a NRM Region moderate to poor condition with respect Creeks and rivers in the South Australian to nutrient concentrations and turbidity Murray-Darling Basin Region are with all parameters frequently exceeding generally in a moderate condition with guideline values. These assessments respect to nutrient concentrations and are considered provisional because turbidity, although total nitrogen and application of the NWQG in this region phosphorus concentrations are most is probably not appropriate. Rather, likely to exceed guideline values. there is a need to establish water quality objectives specific to this region that A widely spread community monitoring are based on local considerations and network has shown increasing salinity water plans. levels in most of the creeks and wetlands within the Murray-Darling Groundwater in the region is catchment due to ongoing drought predominantly from the Great Artesian conditions. Basin. This is a critical resource for

46 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

Map 2.2: Groundwater quality, monitoring

Northern Nuriootpa bores in South Australia, Adelaide Barossa 2002-2007 Plains Bores Loxton

Virginia

Metro Bores Adelaide

Mount Barker Murray Bridge

Willunga Strathalbyn Tailem Bend Basin Willunga Pinnaroo

Victor Harbor

Meningie

Keith Ceduna Tatiara Keith Bores Bores

Streaky Bay Eyre Peninsula Bores Bordertown Wudinna Central South Kimba East Bores

Padthaway Elliston Cleve Padthaway Bores Kingston SE Cummins 0 50 km Tumby Bay Lucindale Naracoorte

Coffin Bay Port Lincoln Naracoorte Robe Bores

Coonawarra Bores

Groundwater monitoring classifications Beachport Bores nutrients and salinity classified as good Beachport Nangwarry Nangwarry Bores nutrients good but salinity poor Millicent nutrients poor but salinity good Millicent & nutrients and salinity classified as poor Mt Burr Bores Mount Gambier Woods & Major road Mt Gambier Bores Forests Myora H.Q. Data Source: Environment Bore Protection Authority 0 20 40 60 km SPAR ID: 2770

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 47 INLAND WATERS

The Lower Lakes, Lakes Alexandrina and indicators can be added to the existing Albert, and the Coorong are in a very approach. degraded condition due to high nutrient River health has been measured using concentrations and low freshwater predictive models generated from inflows. Frequent algal blooms, including benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage blue greens, occur throughout this area. composition data collected from South More information on these waters is Australia since 1994 as part of the included in the River Murray chapter. National River Health Program.

Alinytjara Wilurara NRM Region Inland freshwater riverine ecosystem health as assessed by AUSRIVAS has There are no large surface waters in the generally declined throughout South Alinytjara Wilurara Region due to the Australia as a result of the drought. extremely dry climate, however there This was most evident by the loss of are a number of small waterholes that flowing water habitats from most creeks are culturally significant and feral animals starting in spring 2005 in some parts of such as camels impact the water quality. the state, becoming more widespread As such, the local communities rely by spring 2006 and extending into 2007. extensively on deep groundwater. Most sites have shown a reduction There are no threats to groundwater in river health measurements over quality, although salinity can reach this period due to the lack of flow, concentrations that impact on taste for reduced habitat extent and diversity, human consumption. Fluoride levels can loss of stream connectivity and more also be naturally elevated in some areas. concentrated water quality effects. These drinking water quality issues are The only site included in the ambient being managed by small-scale reverse monitoring program to show an osmosis treatment as required. improved condition in 2006 was from Lenswood Creek, which flows through CONDITION INDICATOR: River health a horticultural region of the Mt Lofty assessed according to the Australian Ranges before discharging into the River Assessment System Onkaparinga River. This site was The Australian River Assessment System rated in reference condition in 2006, (AUSRIVAS) is a national approach for but is typically in a slightly impacted Coolant spill into stormwater drain and assessing river and creek health by condition. Lower than average rainfall nearby creek. Photo: EPA monitoring the type and number of may contribute to this pattern by aquatic macroinvertebrates found in reducing the contribution of overland flowing and still water habitats. Results for runoff from orchards and urban settings monitored sites are compared with the list in the local catchment. of expected macroinvertebrates found Four sites show no major change in in similar types of rivers or creeks that river health from 2002 to the present, have not been significantly disturbed or including locations sampled on Cooper affected by human activities (referred to Creek in the Far North, Arkaroola as least disturbed reference sites). Creek in the Gammon Ranges and Aquatic macroinvertebrates have a the South Para River and First Creek in range of sensitivities to changes in their the Mt Lofty Ranges. The Arkaroola site environment, so monitoring the type and consistently rates in a poor condition numbers of these aquatic animals at a due to the lack of aquatic plants and particular location over time can provide habitat complexity in this arid zone a reliable and long term indication creek. The other sites consistently rate of environmental conditions, such as as equivalent to reference condition changes in water quality. in each river health assessment The AUSRIVAS program is the only conducted and have maintained their statewide assessment of river and creek major habitat types over time. health available, and data is limited to Consistent river health ratings have the one indicator of river health. In time, been maintained at 11 sites, but they other indicators such as diatoms and were affected by the loss of regularly fish, or multi-indicator tools such as the occurring flowing water riffle habitats Framework for the Assessment of River in 2005-06, and three arid-zone creeks and Wetland Health, Sustainable Rivers have dried out completely over this Audit, may be developed and applied to period, i.e. Margaret, Yardaparinna and support the final assessment ratings. Work Mt Chambers Creeks. The absence of is being carried out to see if additional riffle habitats from creeks in the Flinders

48 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

What are Condition Indicators?

Nutrients Heavy metals are still analysed for groundwater, because there is currently The major nutrients found in surface and insufficient data to establish local geology ground waters are nitrogen as nitrate and as the principle driving factor for measured nitrite, and phosphorus. Major sources of concentrations. nutrients include sewage treatment works, industrial activities, intensive agricultural Pesticides activities and stormwater run-off. High nutrient levels support the growth of blue-green algae. Pesticides are monitored in groundwater to determine the possible impact on Turbidity groundwater systems from the extensive agricultural and urban use. Historically, Turbidity of creeks and rivers refers to pesticides have caused some significant the cloudiness or clarity of the water. It is environmental impact due to their toxicity influenced by the concentration of suspended and potential to accumulate in the food clay, silt and fine particles of inorganic and chain, e.g. DDT. organic matter, e.g. organic algal cells. High turbidity can adversely affect plant growth The majority of the recently developed and the survival of some aquatic animals. pesticides break down harmlessly in the environment far more quickly than the older Salinity types. Despite these general improvements, some commonly used pesticides remain Salinity in creeks and rivers can strongly that represent environmental threats on the influence the type of plant and animal basis of short term toxicity. communities that inhabit the waterways and this is a major contributor to the wide biological Groundwater systems are particularly diversity found in South Australian inland prone to pesticide contamination, either waters. Salinity is monitored to help understand by accidental spillage or infiltration through and explain creek ecology and to identify the soil profile and this can affect the use where groundwater inflows may be becoming of these waters. Stormwater is also prone to more prevalent during low rainfall periods. contamination by pesticides, given the use of the chemicals in urban areas. Specific objectives for salinity need to be developed on the basis of local background Macroinvertebrates data and the environmental values established by the community for the specific systems. Macroinvertebrates are aquatic animals without backbones. They are large enough In groundwater, salinity is a strong influence on to be seen with the naked eye and include the suitability of water for different purposes. insects, crustaceans, snails, worms, mites As salinity increases water becomes unsuitable and sponges. The insects include the larvae for drinking, irrigation of many crops (although of flying insects such as midges, two-winged some crops are more salt tolerant than others) flies, dragonflies, mayflies, stoneflies and and for livestock. caddisflies, as well as the adults of some Groundwater salinity can also be a strong groups including waterbugs, beetles and contributor to surface water salinity depending springtails. Other perhaps more familiar, on the connectivity between the groundwater crustaceans include yabbies and freshwater and surface water systems. shrimps and prawns.

Heavy metals Macroinvertebrates are often used in biological monitoring because they are Heavy metals were monitored in South common, widely distributed and easily Australian surface and groundwater for several sampled. Most can be readily identified years leading up to the 2003 SoE. Subsequent by experienced biologists. The number data analysis has shown that in most instances, and diversity of macroinvertebrates can heavy metal concentrations are at expected be used to describe the ecological health concentrations based on the geology in local of a freshwater ecosystem, especially catchments. Exceptions to this are creeks when water quality is also considered. The located in urban areas and those influenced AusRivas model is used for this purpose. by mining or minerals processing activities, both of which are well known sources of metals that can lead to ecosystem impacts.

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 49 INLAND WATERS INLAND WATERS

Ranges (Willochra), Mt Lofty Ranges Condition of wetlands (Skillogallee, Scotts and the Marne Despite the important role of wetlands River), Fleurieu Peninsula (Deep Creek in the landscape and threats to their and Myponga River), Kangaroo Island existence, there are no agreed methods (Cygnet River) and South East (Drain M) for assessing their condition in South highlights the widespread impact of the Australia. The majority are not well drought throughout the state. documented and lack data to enable Among the regularly monitored sites, an assessment of condition. 25 of the 43 (58%) showed a decline in Some wetlands have been well river health assessments during 2005- researched and studied for several 06 compared with earlier results. Sites years including perched swamps on the were distributed throughout the state, Fleurieu Peninsula, and Lake Bonney and were similarly impacted by the and Lake George in the South East. contraction of wetted habitats and the Species inventories have been collected loss of flowing water habitats. from wetlands along the River Murray, If the current drought continues and Eyre Peninsula, South East and selected rainfall patterns remain well below the mound springs in the Great Artesian Basin annual average for each region, major in recent years, often providing the first long-term changes to the structure detailed data on at least some aspects and functioning of aquatic ecosystems of the biology of these wetlands. throughout the state can be expected. The National Wetlands and Waterbirds This may lead to the local and regional Taskforce has been working on a national extinction or contraction of several protocol for assessing wetland condition. groups of macroinvertebrates that are Further work is needed to apply this and unable to survive and reproduce in develop a South Australian condition isolated pool habitats from year to year assessment for wetlands. Sediment from building site entering without substantial flowing water habitats. stormwater system. Photo: EPA Groups such as stoneflies, mayflies, caddisflies, freshwater shrimp, psephenid (riffle) beetles and some dipteran (two- winged flies) are likely to be eliminated What are the pressures? from many of our creeks or restricted to isolated reaches where suitable refuge The majority of South Australia’s creeks, habitats remain. Recovery from drought rivers and groundwater have been events will subsequently depend on modified by agricultural and urban these refuge areas recolonising stream land uses that dominate much of the networks, and subsequently generating landscape. There are several inter linked an improvement in river health condition. phenomena that exert pressures on More than 650 stream sites have been these environments. studied and assessed in South Australia as part of the National River Health Program Reduced water flows because of 1994-99 and subsequent monitoring by unsustainable water extractions the EPA, Natural Resources Management The effect of reducing creek flows Boards, South Australian Water has decreased the diversity and Corporation and the Murray-Darling Basin abundance of the plants and animals Commission as part of the Sustainable that would normally flourish under Rivers Audit. flowing conditions. Many creek systems For sites that have been assessed over that previously had small base flows several years it appears that, with the during summer months have become exception of the current drought and a series of disconnected pools or some localised flood events, few sites completely dry, due to extractions of show any major change in river health surface water and/or groundwater. rating or water quality. This implies that it These problems are significant will take significant changes in land use and becoming more pronounced and related land management practices, throughout all NRM regions. installation of effective buffer zones and Unsustainable groundwater extraction other interventions before changes to can also cause groundwater- river health assessments and water quality dependent ecosystems such as mound will be evident in the majority of the springs and soaks in the Arid Lands state’s inland waters. and Eyre Peninsula regions to become CONDITION INDICATOR: threatened.

50 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

Clearance of natural vegetation in issue is common throughout catchments South Australia. Loss of natural vegetation has increased Density and extent of urbanisation soil erosion, which can also carry significant nutrient loads from affected Large urban landscapes with extensive catchments. Vegetation clearance also paved areas, i.e. roads and other leads to increasing salinity. impervious surfaces in the Adelaide Plains, have a dramatic impact on creeks and High rates of nutrient and sediment groundwater systems. Surface water runoff export from some land uses from these areas is usually very rapid, which can cause habitat scouring and Increased nutrient and sediment levels erosion problems. High rates of surface can drive more frequent algal blooms, runoff also causes large quantities of lead to reduced light penetration in nutrients, heavy metals, suspended solids affected waters and result in adverse and pathogenic bacteria to be carried ecological responses such as smothering into creeks. habitats, clogging the gills of sensitive organisms and impeding submerged Since most rainfall in urban areas quickly aquatic plant growth. Highly soluble runs off as stormwater, there tends to nitrate ions can also percolate through be little percolation of water through to the soil profile and contaminate the watertable, so there is less water groundwater systems, sometimes to the slowly entering creeks as baseflow during extent that these waters are no longer dry periods. Pollution traps full of debris after heavy rains, drinkable. In contrast, Mt Gambier in the South East River Torrens, 2007. Photo: Monica Moss Shallow groundwater in the South East is located in an area where stormwater and Eyre Peninsula are being impacted runoff discharges through a permeable ‘Importantly, it by the common practice of digging substrate into a karstic aquifer system. This groundwater access trenches for stock means that urban pollutants represent a sets water quality watering. This directly introduces nutrients potential threat to groundwater in the Blue and bacteria to groundwater and also Lake capture zone. leads to increased groundwater salinity objectives for through evaporation. all waterbodies, What are we doing Changes to creek habitats such as mandatory provisions reduced riparian cover and about it? direct stock access to ensure that essential Removal of riparian tree cover including Statewide Policies and programs eucalypts, reduces the amount of shade From a statewide perspective, the practices are followed over creeks, which in turn increases Environment Protection (Water Quality) water temperature, leads to higher algal Policy 2003 and the recent integration of and controls over the growth and can reduce bank stability. NRM arrangements and activities, have Degraded riparian zones due to direct provided a solid framework for improving discharge of listed stock access is probably the major cause water quality across the state. of erosion and eutrophication in regions such as the Arid Lands. The Policy provides a consistent statewide pollutants.’ approach to the protection of water The lack of in-stream habitat provided quality across all water bodies (marine by logs reduces opportunities for many and fresh). Importantly, it sets water quality aquatic animals, including native fish objectives for all waterbodies, mandatory and certain aquatic macroinvertebrates provisions to ensure that essential practices that use woody debris as habitat. are followed and controls over the discharge of listed pollutants. Introduction of exotic plants and animals The Environment Protection Act 1993 The ecological community structure requires the licensing of certain activities within many creeks has been affected that potentially pose a risk to the by the introduction of fish species environment. This includes wastewater such as mosquito fish and macroin- treatment plants, septic tank effluent vertebrate species, e.g. marron and disposal schemes and industrial activities introduced snails such as the hydrobiid that have the potential to pollute water Potamopyrgus antipodarum and physid resources. Licence conditions may impose Physa. This has caused adverse effects certain restrictions or require improvements on native fish and frogs and has altered to operations. macroinvertebrate communities. This

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 51 INLAND WATERS

The EPA has published Codes of Practice resources in South Australia by setting as instruments of the Environment community-identified environmental Protection (Water Quality) Policy: values, water quality objectives, management actions and monitoring • To help prevent stormwater pollution and assessment programs. • To help prevent pollution from dairy Establishing environmental values waste for surface waters and groundwater • To give guidance on aquifer storage is the first and most important part and recovery of this process. The Environment • For Materials Handling on Wharves Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003 sets default environmental values • For Vessels on Marine and Inland for all surface and groundwater, but Waters. allows for specific values to be set for A code of practice for Managed Aquifer individual waterbodies. Setting specific Recharge is currently being developed environmental values requires the to ensure that a risk management community as a whole to decide how approach is applied to all the aquifer important our water environments are recharge schemes currently being and what they should be used for at the operated and developed across the local and regional scale. state. The code is based on the risk This process relies on cooperation and management framework detailed in the engagement between community, Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: industry and government to arrive at a Managing Health and Environmental Risks set of broadly agreed values. Once the (Phase 1). values have been set, management EPA compliance officers checking houseboat Reporting and guidelines for general goals and water quality objectives can be compliance with greywater regulations. information have also been released worked out for each of them and these Photo: EPA recently: will then be used to drive sustainable water resource management. • Guidelines for responsible pesticide use The EPA is working with stakeholders such as the Adelaide and Mount Lofty • Handbooks for safe and effective Ranges and the South Australian Murray pesticide use by (i) lifestyle Darling Basin NRM Boards and SA Water, landholders (ii) near-water appli- to implement the NWQMS through cations and (iii) commercial spray a number of pilot projects, including operators within the Mt Lofty Ranges Watershed • The EPA has developed a set of web and the McLaren Vale Prescribed Wells pages for communicating up-to-date Area. Following completion of the pilot water quality data and information, projects, the NWQMS will be rolled out to including classifications based on other parts of South Australia. water quality indicators and macroin- vertebrates. Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges SA Water is continuing to implement NRM region Environment Improvement Programs at its country based wastewater treatment The Mount Lofty Ranges Watershed plants to reduce the level of nutrients Protection Office (WPO) was established being discharged into rivers and creeks. in 2000 by the EPA to protect and All of the treated wastewater produced improve the quality of water resources by the Gumeracha, Mannum, Murray in the watershed in collaboration with Bridge and Myponga wastewater other authorities. Since then it has: treatment works is now reused. There is • conducted several compliance and also some reuse at the Millicent, Bird- licensing assessments, including an in-Hand and Angaston wastewater audit of every dairy operating in the treatment plants. watershed and an assessment of wastewater control systems Implementing the National Water • undertaken a regional and several Quality Management Strategy across land use specific risk assessments South Australia • driven policy and planning activities The National Water Quality Management • reviewed the impact of climate Strategy (NWQMS) provides a basis for change on water quality in the sustainable management of water the watershed

52 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

• conducted water quality monitoring Eyre Peninsula NRM Region and assessments The Eyre Peninsula NRM Board is • developed computer based addressing the protection of inland catchment models and promoted waters through strategies including best land management practices research, promotion and education, including the development and policies relating to water affecting implementation of Environment activities and restoration initiatives. Management Systems (EMS) In addition, the Board promotes riparian • implemented a range of extension management, revegetation (especially and communication programs, in the Tod River Catchment), weed aimed at providing information and and pest animal control, controls over technical advice via education water extraction, best practice farming, programs and products, local protection of wetlands in reserves and publicity and on ground support. heritage agreements. The Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Further development of modelling NRM Board has also implemented a and monitoring systems is considered range of projects and programs both critical to support ongoing sustainable within the watershed and elsewhere management of water resources. A in its jurisdiction. Numerous stormwater regional natural resources management wetlands have been constructed, plan, which incorporates water resources, particularly on the Adelaide plains. These is being prepared. systems can now capture and treat large volumes of stormwater runoff that would have previously been discharged Kangaroo Island NRM Region to the sea, causing significant pollution The Kangaroo Island NRM Board has problems. In many cases, constructed established a program called the Rivers wetlands include aquifer storage and of Life to care for the island’s inland Small desalination plant, Langhorne Creek recovery components to facilitate surface waters. This has three aspects: Photo: EPA treated stormwater harvesting for later use by industry and for irrigation • The development of a Regional Water requirements. Management Plan for Kangaroo Island to facilitate the sustainable use Water Allocation Plans are also being of water resources. developed for the Western Mt Lofty Ranges, McLaren Vale and Northern • The implementation of a well-planned Adelaide Plains Prescribed Wells areas and rigorous framework to monitor and the Barossa Prescribed Water water resource condition and Resources area. evaluate management effectiveness into the future. The Torrens Taskforce was established to assess and recommend viable • Capacity building activities management options for the Torrens supporting the development of a River catchment, including improving community aware of water resource water quality in the Torrens Lake. Some issues and water conservation 33 recommendations were made, principles and adopting best practice including a set of challenging water management throughout Kangaroo quality objectives for various sections of Island. the river system and recommendations The Board is also active in assisting on the provision of environmental flows landholders with various aspects of soil for the urban section of the Torrens. and vegetation management. These efforts are expected to contribute to Local government is also extremely reduced sediment and nutrient transport active in this region with a number of into rivers and creeks. artificial wetlands being built as well as numerous riparian revegetation projects being delivered. Local government South Australian Arid Lands NRM Region has also supported the delivery of stormwater pollution prevention projects The South Australian Arid Lands NRM for more than 10 years in partnership with Board has several projects underway to the NRM Board (and prior to 2004 with alleviate water quality impact in surface various Catchment Water Management and groundwater. There is assistance for Boards). These projects are no longer landholders with on ground protection funded by the Adelaide and Mt Lofty work for springs and other surface Ranges NRM Board. water ecosystems. Benefits include

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 53 INLAND WATERS

‘More than 1599 improved stock management and The organisation facilitates hands-on productive capacity, and protection of learning for thousands of students important wildlife habitat. The Board is through education sessions and tours. shopping bags full of also engaged in a project to improve It also mentors a large number of youth understanding of groundwater resources environment groups and education litter weighing in at in the Flinders Ranges. working groups. Teachers are supported in their curriculum planning, knowledge 3,430kg were removed and skill development through South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Waterwatch professional development from roadside gutters NRM Region days, steering groups and resources. Significant progress has been made The South Australian Murray-Darling and verges preventing in implementing the National Water Basin Natural Resources Management Quality Management Strategy Board has developed a Community its entry to stormwater through community consultation and Monitoring Framework and Tool Kit to engagement with the EPA. systems.’ guide stakeholders on achieving the The regional NRM Board has developed greatest value from community based strategies for improved water monitoring. resource allocation so as to increase Gutter Guardians is a dynamic, environmental flows in many creeks and action-based program that supports rivers. Further information on the River stormwater pollution education. The Murray is provided in the River Murray Gutter Guardians Pack provides ideas chapter of this report. for other learning activities including exploration of stormwater pollution impacts on our waterways, community South East NRM Region surveys, composting and visits by There are several projects underway council Street Sweeper machinery. to help improve understanding of In 2005, 57 school and community pollutant transport into South East Region groups in Adelaide helped in sweeping groundwater, particularly the aquifer their local streets, calculating the system in the Blue Lake capture zone, potential amount of stormwater which supplies Mt Gambier’s drinking pollution collected and surveying local water. Lake Bonney in the South East is residents. More than 1,599 shopping also subject to a significant investigation bags full of litter weighing in at 3,430kg with the aim of improving its condition. were removed from roadside gutters A variety of catchment management and verges preventing its entry to initiatives are being developed such stormwater systems. as the integrated management of Mosquito Creek. This project will work to fill critical knowledge gaps and support the protection of key environmental assets in the Mosquito Creek Catchment, including Bool and Hacks Lagoons Ramsar Wetlands, and vital habitat for nationally threatened species.

Community involvement Community involvement in the management and protection of rivers and creeks is increasing through organisations such as Waterwatch. This is a positive development that will contribute significantly towards a greater community awareness of water resource issues. Waterwatch South Australia began in 1993 with about 10 groups. It has since grown to more than 350 school and community groups, with 4,500 participants monitoring water quality at around 640 sites across the state.

54 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quality

What more should we be doing?

The Environment Protection Authority recommends the following: R2.1 Streamline government management of water by rationalising overlapping responsibilities and improving coordination, in particular for water quality monitoring. R2.2 Identify key freshwater assets and set maximum targets for sediment, nutrient and water discharges.

Alignment of Recommendations with South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets

R2.1 R2.2 Growing Prosperity T1.7, T1.8, T1.9 T1.1, T1.14, T1.15 Improving Wellbeing Attaining Sustainability T3.1, T3.2, T3.3, T3.4, T3.9 T3.5, T3.7, T3.8, T3.9, T3.10, T3.11, T3.12, T3.13, T.3.14 Torrens outlet, West Beach. Fostering Creativity Photo: Steven Mudge and Innovation Building Communities Expanding Opportunities

For further detail on South Australia’s Strategic Plan visit www.stateplan.sa.gov.au

References Further information

Brown, K., Harrington, G., and Lawson, J. National Water Quality Management Review of groundwater resource condition Strategy www.environment.gov.au/water/ and management principles for the quality/nwqms Tertiary Limestone Aquifer in the South East of South Australia, (2006). DWLBC Report ANZECC water quality guidelines www. 2006/2. Government of South Australia, environment.gov.au/water/quality/ Adelaide. nwqms/index.html Stewart, S. McLaren Vale Prescribed Wells Area Groundwater Monitoring Status AusRivas Assessment website Report, (2006). DWLBC Report 2006/04. www.ausrivas.canberra.edu.au Government of South Australia, Adelaide. Historical Environment Protection Authority Natural Resources Management Boards Assessments www.nrm.sa.gov.au www.epa.sa.gov.au/pub_water.html National Water Commission www.water.gov.au

Environment Protection Authority www.epa.sa.gov.au/nrm_map.html

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 55 INLAND WATERS

Water Quantity and gardening. South Australians use water primarily from two sources – groundwater and Trends surface water. Groundwater is water that occurs naturally below ground level and is • Water use in areas of South Australia accessed from wells either by pumping where it is licensed: RELATIVELY STABLE. or in the case of water from the Great Artesian Basin, through artesian pressure. • Use of groundwater in the Northern Surface water is any water that occurs Adelaide Plains and parts of the South on the land surface including run-off, Cracked sediment on Hindmarsh Island. East: ABOVE ESTIMATED SUSTAINABLE creeks, streams, dams and reservoirs. Photo: Tim Goldsmith LIMITS. The River Murray is an important • Use of surface water in the Mount source of surface water for South Lofty Ranges: ABOVE INDICATIVE Australia providing on average, 40% SUSTAINABLE LIMITS in some areas. of Adelaide’s water supply and in a • Water use in areas of South Australia drought years up to 90%. where water use is unlicensed: South Australia’s groundwater resources UNCERTAIN. are critical to the state, providing • Areas of South Australia where social, economic and environmental water resources are subject to benefits. Groundwater provides much formal management arrangements: of South Australia’s irrigation water for INCREASING. horticulture, agriculture and viticulture • Comprehensive and scientifically and an invaluable drinking water supply based information on the extent to regions where there is little surface of South Australia’s wetlands: water run-off and effective storage sites New storage dam built for agriculutural INCREASING. are not available. Groundwater is also purposes near Langhorne Creek. Now unable fundamental to maintaining summer to fill with water from Lake Alexandrina due to flows in many of South Australia’s high salinity levels. Photo: EPA watercourses and wetlands. Goal Urban and agricultural development since European settlement has had T3.9 Sustainable water supply: South a profound impact on the nature of Australia’s water resources are managed water resources in South Australia. In within sustainable limits by 2018. some areas of the state water supplies South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007 are being used beyond estimated sustainable levels. In the Mount Lofty and the Southern Flinders Ranges, major reservoirs intercept surface water flows, Water Quantity and depriving aquatic environments further a sustainable downstream of water. Farm dams in these and other areas also disrupt South Australia natural surface flows. Increasing and unmanaged demand for water can Adelaide stormwater. Photo: Steven Mudge adversely affect the environment, limit Inland waters include creeks, rivers, the ability of existing users to access wetlands, lakes and groundwater water and diminish opportunities systems. Given its prominence, the River for further urban and agricultural Murray is covered by its own chapter. developments. In localised areas in Water is essential for the future prosperity the north of the state the mining industry of South Australia. It supports human life also has a significant impact on and sustains the natural environment. A water resources. sustainable supply of good quality water underpins industrial, agricultural, mining and urban development and maintains natural processes in water dependent ecosystems. Water also plays an important role in maintaining South Australia’s social wellbeing by providing opportunities for recreation associated with irrigated sporting fields, water sports

56 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quantity

29.7% of metropolitan wastewater and Figure 2.1: Water consumption by State Indicators 19.1% of country wastewater (SA Water, 2007a). Together with average annual 1%1 <1% CONDITION INDICATOR reuse of approximately three gigalitres of stormwater, this represents approximately • The extent of wetlands 7% 2% of South Australia’s total water use 8% Gives a rating of the extent of wetlands (Trewin, 2006). across the state. 23% CONDITION INDICATOR: PRESSURE INDICATOR The extent of wetlands 32% • Use of surface and groundwater Since 2003, information on the extent and 27% resources versus availability distribution of wetlands in South Australia Gives an indication of the sustainability has been improved through detailed of present use levels from various sources inventories, e.g. through the South East Region, remote sensing projects, regional SA WA wetland prioritisation activities and What is the current collation of topographic data. QLD TAS That data has been collated as a VIC NT situation? statewide wetlands layer (see Map 2.3) and is being used to underpin NSW ACT Water consumption for agricultural, development of a wetlands typology or Source: DWLBC industrial, commercial, recreational and classification system. domestic activities in South Australia was Figure 2.2: South Australian water consumption The Department of Water, Land and 1,365 GL in 2004–05 compared to 1,383 by sector Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) is also GL in 2000–01. This is approximately 7% of classifying South Australia’s wetlands the estimated total national water use into broad categories and developing 11% (Trewin, 2006). wetland conceptual diagrams for 5% The agriculture sector was the largest those categories as part of the 5% consumer of water in South Australia Commonwealth’s National Land and 4% during 2004–05, accounting for 1,020 Water Resources Audit. GL or 75% of water consumption. Of Wetland conceptual diagrams aim to this livestock, pasture, grains and other 75% capture the key biological, physical and agriculture had the highest water chemical drivers of each type of wetland consumption at 483 GL (47%) followed under the current definition of best by grapes at 204 GL (20%) and fruit at conditions, to identify the key indicators 144 GL (14%). Households were also of wetland condition (Figure 2.4). The large water consumers at 11% or 44 GL classification project will be completed Agriculture Other industries (Trewin, 2006). by mid 2008. Around 184,000 Ha of crops were Manufacturing Household The following information is presented irrigated in South Australia in 2004-05 Water supply by NRM Regions however it should be representing around 0.3% of agricultural Source: DWLBC noted that some of the regions are not land. Those crops had a gross value of included either through lack of available $1.28 billion (Trewin, 2006) representing information or in the case of the River Figure 2.3: South Australian water use around 33% of the state’s total Murray, due to coverage by its own by source (GL) agricultural production (Australian chapter. Bureau of Statistics, 2006). 2 % The River Murray provides 40% of water used for irrigation, 50% is from Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges 5% 5% groundwater in the South East with much The wetlands of the Adelaide and 3 8 % 4 9 % of the remainder from smaller surface Mount Lofty Ranges Region face 4% and groundwater systems originating in significant threats due to fragmentation, the Mount Lofty Ranges. weed invasion, land clearing and 75% Approximately 49% of the total water burning, intensive grazing pressure, used in South Australia is from the River forestry plantations and water diversion 11% Murray, 38% from groundwater and 11% and capture. from other surface water resources. Large areas of permanent and non- South Australia’s wastewater re usage permanent wetlands have been lost River Murray Groundwater has increased significantly from less than from the region over the past century. Other surface Waste- and 5% in 1997-98 to 28.6% in 2006-07 (SA The Fleurieu Peninsula swamps are listed water Storm-water Water, 2007b). This included re-use of as a critically endangered ecological Source: DWLBC

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 57 INLAND WATERS

Figure 2.4: Draft wetland conceptual diagram

‘Large areas of community under the Australia high proportion of native species are Government’s Environment Protection wetland dependent. and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 permanent and non- Agricultural development, transport and face an extremely high risk of infrastructure and human settlement extinction in the immediate future. permanent wetlands have significantly affected some 98% of The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges wetlands in the South East and little of have been lost from NRM Board is ground-truthing the extent this area remains in original condition. of Fleurieu Peninsula swamps through The Naracoorte coastal plain contains the Southern Fleurieu Wetlands Rapid the region over the 13 wetland systems covering 170,000 Assessment. Ground-truthing being the Ha. These constitute large swampy validation of remotely collected data past century.’ areas interconnected by broad, often ill- through on-ground data gathering. This defined watercourses. While restoration project is an inter-departmental project projects are helping to improve the being undertaken by the DWLBC based health of selected remnant wetlands on the Department for Environment and the condition of many in the region Heritage’s (DEH) South Australian Wetland continues to decline. In particular, Inventory Database with input from the the condition of wetlands in the Conservation Council of SA’s Fleurieu Morambro Creek and Mosquito Creek Peninsula Swamp Recovery Program. catchments are declining and the rising The project has ground-truthed 75% of spring wetlands along the lower south the known Southern Fleurieu Peninsula east coast are being degraded by wetlands to date. threatening processes such as drainage, stock grazing and groundwater extraction. South East Wetlands were comprehensively In the South Australian context, the South mapped and classified by DEH in 2006 East is a region of relatively high rainfall, during a project known as ‘Wetland high biodiversity and high endemism. A Inventory for the lower South East’.

58 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quantity

Map 2.3: Internationally and nationally significant Port Augusta wetlands in South Australia

Whyalla 20 Port Pirie

12

10

11 Wallaroo 47 38 41 Renmark 7 40 49 19 42 17 18 48 46 8 39 45 6 50 15 44 72 Port LIncoln 75 5 73 76 Adelaide 70

1 Coongie Lakes 69 43 2 Diamantina River Wetland System 13 33 68 3 Strzelecki Creek Wetland System 74 4 Baird Bay 71 83 34 5 Barker Inlet & St Kilda 30 80 35 6 Big Swamp 82 62 7 Clinton 23 25 79 8 Coffin Bay Coastal Wetland System 24 81 Victor 22 31 9 Davenport Creek 27 36 Harbor 10 Franklin Harbour 29 37 77 21 11 Lake Hamilton 28 78 32 12 Lake Newland 26 13 Point Davenport 14 Point Labatt 15 Port Gawler & Buckland Park Lake 16 Streaky Bay 66 2 58 Bordertown 17 Tod River Wetland System 63 60 18 Tumby Bay 1 19 Wills Creek 20 Upper Spencer Gulf 65 21 American River Wetland System Coober Pedy 67 3 22 Birchmore Lagoon 52 23 Busby & Beatrice Islets 24 Cygnet Estuary 25 Cygnet River & Duck Lagoon 64 26 D Estrees Bay 51 53 27 Flinders Chase River Systems 28 Grassdale Lagoons Ceduna 61 29 Lake Ada 9 30 Stipiturus Conservation Park (Glenshera Swamp) 16 4 Port Augusta 56 31 Lashmar Lagoon and Chapman River 0 200 km 14 57 32 Murray Lagoon 33 Onkaparinga Estuary 55 34 Tookayerta & Finniss Catchments 35 Illawong Swamp Mount Gambier 36 Waidrowski Lagoon 54 37 White Lagoon Wetland System 59 38 Banrock Swamp Wetland Complex 39 Gurra Lakes Wetland Complex See 40 Irwin Flat Enlargement 41 Loch Luna Wetland Complex 42 Loveday Swamps 43 Lower Murray Swamps 44 Marne River Mouth 45 Noora Evaporation Lakes 46 Pike-Mundic Wetland Complex 65 Lake Eyre 47 Riverland Wetland Complex 66 Dalhousie Springs 0 50 100 150 km 48 Spectacle Lakes 67 Lake Eyre Mound Springs 49 Stockyard Plain 68 Murray Bridge Army Training Area Wetlands 50 Swan Reach Wetland Complex 69 Engelbrook Reserve 51 Bool and Hacks Lagoon 70 Cleland Perched Swamps Internationally and 52 Butchers & Salt Lakes Wetlands 71 Washpool Lagoon nationally significant 53 Deadmans Swamp 72 Sleaford Mere wetlands 54 Ewens Ponds 73 Pillie Lake Major Roads 55 Honans Scrub 74 Innes Salt Lakes 56 Lake Frome & Mullins Swamp 75 Gum Flat 57 Marshes Swamp 76 Native Hen Lagoon Data Source: Department of 58 Naen Naen Swamp & Gum Lagoon 77 Rush Lagoon Environment and Heritage 59 Piccaninnie Ponds 78 Six Mile Lagoon SPAR ID: 2773 60 Poocher & Mundulla Swamps 79 Upper Boat Harbour Creek Wetlands 61 South East Coastal Salt Lakes 80 Congeratinga Swamp 62 The Coorong, Lake Alexandrina & Lake Albert 81 Gold Diggings Swamp 63 Watervalley Wetlands 82 Maylands Swamp 64 Inland Saline Lake 83 Ambersun - West Swamp

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 59 INLAND WATERS

Figure 2.5: Summary of South Australian water Arid Lands and Alinytjara Wilurara Predicted increases in temperature and use by source changes in rainfall patterns associated The extraction of groundwater, grazing, with climate change and variability, mining development and pest plants 1600 will influence surface and groundwater and animals pose a threat to wetlands r 1400 resources across all regions of South a in the Arid Lands and Alinytjara Wilurara e Australia. It is estimated that flows in y 1200 NRM regions. Knowledge of wetlands in r

e rivers and streams in the eastern central

p 1000 this region is focused primarily on

s Murray Darling Basin could reduce by

e the wetlands of the Lake Eyre Basin r

t 800 i

l up to 45% by 2070 (CSIRO, 2001) and and mound springs of the Great a

g 600 early estimates indicate that stream i Artesian Basin. G 400 flows in the Mount Lofty Ranges may be It is estimated that the uncontrolled flow reduced by up to 30% by 2050, thereby 200 of water from uncapped wells in the increasing pressure on already scarce 0 Great Artesian Basin has reduced the water resources. This is compounded y r r r water flows from mound springs by 30% a te te te by the non-linear relationship between rr a a a u w w w over the past century which has had M d e rainfall reduction and runoff such that r n rm st e u o a iv o t an impact on plants and animals in the a relatively small drop of 15% in rainfall R r S W G r Surface Water region. Most of these formerly free- can reduce catchment runoff by more e th flowing wells have now been capped O than 30%. Use Use Limit as part of the well-capping program The effect of climate change on involving DWLBC and the South Australian groundwater resources is less clear with Arid Lands NRM Board. In many cases the some groundwater resources highly wells have been rehabilitated so that the sensitive to rainfall changes and others flow can be mechanically controlled with relatively insensitive in the short term. valves, allowing enough for the intended A better understanding of the longer use without wastage. term management issues is required. It Figure 2.6: Summary of water use by source in In addition to rehabilitating the wells is predicted that rainfall in the north of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region there has been an effort to convert the state will increase, which will also 140 open drains to piped networks. The potentially change natural systems. Water Allocation Plan for the Far North

r 120

a Prescribed Wells Area stipulates, water Water usage across the state e

y 100

r for stock purposes must not be taken

e South Australia’s water usage is

p unless the stock water reticulation system

s 80 summarised by actual use and the e

r is maintained as a water-tight delivery t i l 60 estimated sustainable use limit for each

a system. This rehabilitation program has g

i source in Figure 2.5. seen an improvement in the flow of some G 40 springs (pers comm. Sampson, DWLBC). Broadly this summary indicates that 20 the use of surface and groundwater Within the Great Artesian Basin mining from resources in South Australia is within 0 the Olympic Dam mine is estimated at 33 r r r te te te estimated sustainable use limits. a a a ML/day or approximately 12GL/year. w w w d e However, this is somewhat misleading n rm st u to a in that the “available” groundwater ro S W Surface WaterG tends to be brackish or unsuitable for Use Use Limit What are the pressures? its intended purpose unless treated. Alternatively, it is inaccessible as in the water of the Great Artesian Basin, or the Climate Change soil and water are incompatible, again The CSIRO Climate Change in South the Basin’s water is a good example as Australia Report (McInnes et al., 2003) it is unsuitable for irrigation. The use of indicated that climate change could have most of the fresh groundwater resources a major impact on water availability in is now regulated because of system South Australia due to lower rainfall and stress, where resources are either fully higher evaporation rates. This is likely to allocated or being used beyond their result in increasing rainfall variability, which estimated sustainable limits. will in turn lead to shorter growing seasons based on moisture availability, increased risk of drought and reduced availability Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges of water for inland regions. A more recent Water quantity use limits are assessment of the potential impacts of compared with water use in the climate change on water resources is Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges provided in the technical report Climate Region, excluding imported River Murray change in Australia (CSIRO and Australian water, in Figure 2.6. Bureau of Meteorology, 2007).

60 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quantity

The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges plan for the western Mount Lofty Ranges Region is the most intensely settled area in close consultation with the community of South Australia. The ranges’ water and water users. resources are vitally important socially, There are three major centres of intensive economically and ecologically. groundwater development in the Water catchments in the Mount Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Lofty Ranges are a significant source region – McLaren Vale, the Barossa of drinking water for Adelaide and Valley and the Northern Adelaide Plains. support a number of important aquatic There is also significant groundwater environments. In fact, 75% of the state’s use in the Piccadilly Valley and Central population relies on the Mount Lofty Adelaide Plains. Ranges to supply 60% of local water Groundwater resources are being requirements in an average year and used beyond sustainable limits in the more than 90% in drought years. Northern Adelaide Plains Prescribed The state’s rivers, wetlands and swamps Wells Area, one of South Australia’s are of high conservation significance major horticultural production areas. The with a number listed under the Ramsar current total water allocation on water Convention and Environment Protection licences in that area is 26.5 GL per year and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 based on the reasonable requirements because of the biological communities of licensed water users. The average use they support, extent of historical loss and over the past 10 years has been 18 GL continuing threats. per year. However, in dry years use has exceeded 24 GL (Northern Adelaide and Map 2.3 lists the important South Barossa Catchment Water Management Australian wetlands. Groundwater Board, 2000a). supplies a number of industries both in the Mount Lofty Ranges and on The estimated sustainable use limit the plains. for groundwater in the area is 8 GL (Department for Water Resources, 2000). Water resources in the Mount Lofty Ranges are under pressure and Overuse has caused a decline in demands for agriculture, industry and groundwater levels in this area and domestic supply are increasing. Primary an accompanying increase in salinity, producers, industry and domestic water particularly during summer months. users require secure access to water Treated wastewater from the Bolivar to plan for the future and the need to Treatment Plant is providing an provide environmental flows for rivers, alternative source of water in some parts Little Para River. Photos: Steven Mudge streams and wetlands in the area has of the Northern Adelaide Plains and been recognised. the water allocation plan for the area includes measures to better manage Surface and ground water resources groundwater use. The Adelaide and in the western Mount Lofty Ranges, Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board is including the main channels of the currently reviewing the water allocation Gawler, Torrens and Onkaparinga Rivers, plan for the Northern Adelaide Plains were prescribed under the Natural Prescribed Wells Area to address over Resources Management Act 2004 on 20 allocation. October 2005. Groundwater resources in the Central The prescription process ensures that Adelaide Plains, particularly the deeper water is managed for all users including tertiary aquifers, are under pressure and local landholders who depend on it demands from large industries, sporting for domestic and agricultural supplies. organisations and agriculture are These actions will provide certainty and increasing. security of access to available water supplies for those who rely on dams or Industry, primary producers, and bores as their sole or primary source domestic water users require secure of water. access to water to plan for the future. At the same time, the need to ensure New or additional water will be water use is sustainable is increasingly allocated in accordance with rules recognised. The level of groundwater under a water allocation plan to prevent use from the deeper tertiary aquifers in any negative impact on other water the Central Adelaide Area poses a risk users and the environment. The Adelaide that the resource may not meet future and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board is demands for water. In particular, two currently developing a water allocation areas, Thebarton and Wingfield, show

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 61 INLAND WATERS

Figure 2.7: Summary of water use by source in long-term declines in groundwater Plantation forestry has been identified the South East region levels of 0.5 and 0.7 metres per annum as having a significant impact on respectively. the region’s water resources due to 1400 reduced groundwater recharge and Groundwater resources in the Central direct extraction of groundwater

r 1200 Adelaide Groundwater Area were

a from shallow watertables in some e prescribed on 7 June 2007. The Adelaide y 1000

r areas (South East Natural Resources

e and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board is

p Management Board 2006a). The South

s 800 currently developing a water allocation e

r East NRM Board is proposing to manage t i l 600 plan for the Central Adelaide Prescribed a and account for these impacts in a g

i Wells Area in close consultation with the

G revised water allocation plan for the 400 community and water users. Lower Limestone Coast. 200 Surface and groundwater resources are Groundwater salinity has been currently being used to capacity in the 0 r r r increasing in the main irrigation area te te te Barossa Prescribed Water Resources Area, a a a w w w of the Padthaway Prescribed Wells d e with some indications of localised overuse n rm st Area for more than 20 years due to u to a ro S W of groundwater (Northern Adelaide and G irrigation practices and mobilisation Surface Water Barossa Catchment Water Management of salts following historic clearance of Board, 2000b). The Adelaide and Mount Use Use Limit native vegetation in the Naracoorte Lofty Ranges NRM Board is currently Ranges (South East NRM Board, 2006b). Figure 2.8: Summary of water use by source in reviewing the water allocation plan for The South East NRM Board is currently the South Australian Murray-Darling this area to address these issues. reviewing the water allocation plan for Basin region Groundwater resources in the McLaren the Padthaway, Lower Limestone Coast Vale Prescribed Groundwater Area are and Tatiara Prescribed Wells Areas. 800 being used to capacity. The area’s water allocation plan includes measures 700 to better manage groundwater and South Australian Murray Darling Basin water use is below sustainable use limits (excluding the River Murray) 600 (Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Water quantity use limits are compared Board, 2007). 500 with water use in the South Australian Murray Darling Basin region (excluding 400 River Murray water) in Figure 2.8. South East 300 While the River Murray watercourse has Water quantity use limits are compared been manipulated for use since the Gigalitres per year 200 with water use in the South East region in weirs and locks were built, it has been Figure 2.7. 100 a managed water resource in South Irrigation using confined and unconfined Australian since 1978. aquifers in the South East supports 0 The allocation, use and transfer of River significant fodder, viticultural and Murray water is managed under the horticultural industries. Wetlands in the Stormwater Wastewater River Murray Water Allocation Plan that Groundwater Surface Water region, including Bool Lagoon and the supports the state’s national obligations Coorong, are recognised internation- Use in managing this resource and is ally as having significant environmental Use Limit covered in greater detail in the River value. Both sites are Ramsar Wetlands Murray chapter. and provide nesting and feeding sites for waterbirds and wading birds including Water resources in the Eastern Mount species listed under the Environment Lofty Ranges are under pressure and Protection and Biodiversity Conservation demands for agriculture, industry and Act 1999. The unconfined aquifer in the domestic supply are increasing. lower South East is also important as a Surface and groundwater resources drinking water supply for Mount Gambier, were prescribed in the Eastern Mount Millicent and Penola. Lofty Ranges on 15 September 2005. Potential demand based on licensed The South Australian Murray Darling water use from the unconfined aquifer Basin NRM Board is currently developing exceeds total available recharge in a a water allocation plan for the number of management areas of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges in close Padthaway, Lower Limestone Coast and consultation with the community and Tatiara Prescribed Wells Areas. A number water users. of these management areas show Groundwater extraction has been declining water tables and increasing regulated in the Angas Bremer salinity (South East NRM Board, 2006a). Prescribed Wells Area by the state government since 1981 due to over-

62 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quantity

development that resulted in regional as sources of domestic water because of Figure 2.9: Summary of water use by source in groundwater drawdown and rises poor quality, siltation and low yield. the Eyre Peninsula region in salinity. Extraction has decreased Groundwater resources in the Southern progressively since the mid 1980s with 40 Basin and County Musgrave Prescribed the cooperation of irrigators, helped in Wells Areas play an important role 35 part by the shift to higher value crops, in the supply of reticulated water 30 particularly viticulture. Schemes to throughout the Eyre Peninsula region. increase recharge to the aquifer were 25 Thin, unconfined freshwater lenses are also developed and now contribute to common on the west and south coasts 20 the water balance. By the mid 1990s where rainfall is highest and thin soils groundwater use was further reduced 15

over limestone allow high recharge Gigalitres per year through the importation of 15 GL of 10 to the aquifers. Groundwater levels in River Murray allocations, enabling these systems correlate with the previous 5 groundwater allocations to reduce from year’s rainfall and decline as a result more than 20 GL to 6 GL. 0 of natural discharge, water supply The Mallee Prescribed Wells Area was extractions and drought. The availability prescribed in 1983. Following consultation of water from these freshwater lenses is StormwaterWastewater with the community, groundwater very dependent on the rate of recharge Surface WaterGroundwater allocations in this area were set at a level during the previous season. that exceeds the recharge rate because Use Use Limit of the large volume of groundwater stored in the aquifer (more than 100,000 Northern and Yorke Figure 2.10: Summary of water use by source in the Northern and Yorke region GL). Allocations are based on recharge, Water quantity use limits are compared through-flow and a proportion of storage with water use in the Northern and Yorke 16 such that annual groundwater draw region in Figure 2.10. 14 r

downs do not exceed 50mm averaged a

Surface waters and flows are mainly e 12

over the prescribed area. y derived from variable winter rainfall and r e 10 Water resources in the Marne-Saunders are therefore difficult to predict as a p s e

catchments have been prescribed r 8

reliable water resource in the Northern t i l

due to intensification of irrigation a and Yorke region. Evaporation and 6 g development. The South Australian i

seepage losses from surface water G Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board is storages are generally high. The main 4 currently developing a water allocation river systems are the Wakefield and 2 plan for the area. Broughton Rivers, including the Hill and 0 Hutt Rivers that drain into the Broughton. r r r te te te a a a w w w Groundwater resources are widely and d e Eyre Peninsula n rm st u o variably spaced making it difficult to o t a Water quantity use limits are compared r S W predict the quantity and quality of water Surface WaterG with water use in the Eyre Peninsula available in any particular location. The Use Use Limit region in Figure 2.9. aquifers of the area have a low yield and The surface water resources of the Eyre their storage capacity is variable. Peninsula region are mostly groundwater Local water resources in the northern dependent, and usually saline. Where Mount Lofty Ranges and southern Flinders potable water exists, there is susceptibility Ranges have been developed for small- to overuse and degradation. scale irrigation to supplement dryland Valuable swamp habitat in the south farming. Large-scale irrigation takes supports several threatened species place in the Clare Valley which is noted including the Eyre Peninsula Southern for its vineyards and wine production. Emu-Wren. DEH in collaboration with the Water in the Clare Valley is drawn from Eyre Peninsula NRM Board mapped and groundwater and surface waters, classified all wetland ecosystems across including waterways and farm dams. the Eyre Peninsula during 2007-08. There are two principal groundwater The major surface water development in aquifers in the valley: fractured rock and the region is the reservoir developed for sedimentary. The fractured rock aquifers the water supply system in the Tod River are found extensively throughout the catchment. The salinity of this resource region while sedimentary aquifers is highly variable and it has been provide only a small and localised abandoned as a source of domestic resource. water. The Yeldulknie, Ullabidinie and Groundwater and watercourse water Ulbana reservoirs, constructed in the resources in the Clare Valley were early 1990s, have also been abandoned

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 63 INLAND WATERS

Figure 2.11: Summary of water use by source prescribed in 1996, with surface water significance for Aboriginal communities in the Kangaroo Island region included in 1999. Most of the water in and support unique localised the valley is used to irrigate grapes, ecosystems. 16 orchards, vegetables, olives and The Great Artesian Basin covers areas 14 lucerne. r of South Australia, Queensland, New a

e 12

y South Wales and the Northern Territory. r

e 10 Despite large quantities of available p Kangaroo Island s groundwater in the Basin, current e

r 8 t i l Water quantity use limits are compared extraction rates through artesian wells a 6 g i with water use in the Kangaroo Island are unsustainable. G 4 region in Figure 2.11. The sustainable yield concept that 2 Water catchments and groundwater in the long-term, discharge should 0 supplies in the Kangaroo Island equal recharge, does not apply to the r r r te te te region provide a significant source of Great Artesian Basin due to its size, as a a a w w w drinking water and support a number d e travel times do not allow for the effect n rm st u to a of important aquatic environments. ro S W of recharge to be seen away from Surface WaterG Surface and groundwater resources the outcrop areas. An acceptable Use Use Limit on Kangaroo Island are limited both by discharge is a more appropriate quantity and quality. term, and would be the volume that Kingscote and Parndana derive their produces an acceptable fall in pressure. water from a reservoir located in the In the South Australian portion of the Figure 2.12: Summary of water use by source in Middle River Catchment. Penneshaw’s Basin, it has been estimated that the the Arid Lands and Alinytjara Wilurara regions water requirements are met by a volume of water discharging through desalination plant and the balance of vertical leakage (a large portion of 120 the Island’s rural settlements derive their which is lost to evaporation) is greater water from dams and rainwater tanks. than 50% of the amount of water 100 that flows into the state. The key to 80 management of the Great Artesian Arid Lands and Alinytjara Wilurara Basin water resources lies in the careful 60 Water quantity use limits are compared harvesting of this vertical leakage, to with water use in the Arid Lands and ensure that there will be no adverse 40 Gigalitres per year Alinytjara Wilurara regions in Figure 2.12. impact on springs and their unique ecosystems, and other users dependent 20 The Arid Lands and Alinytjara Wilurara on the pressure. regions support a range of important 0 aquatic ecosystems associated with The resource needs to be managed arid landscapes including waterholes, by pressure and allocated by volume. lakes, floodplains and mound springs. It is estimated that historically, 90% of StormwaterWastewater Surface WaterGroundwater artesian water extracted from the Basin The Ramsar-listed Coongie Lakes was wasted through the use of open Use Use Limit are a collection of semi permanent well drains and uncontrolled wells. freshwater lakes situated amongst the dunes of the Strzelecki Desert. During Since 1977 the state government has times of flood unregulated surface undertaken rehabilitation of leaking water resources in the Arid Lands and and flowing wells in the Great Artesian Alinytjara Wilurara regions can be Basin. While water pressures have significant, but can remain dry for declined since the first wells were years afterward. established, this decline has stabilised in South Australia, except for predicted Flows in the Diamantina River and declines associated with wellfield Cooper Creek are highly variable B (Roxby Downs). There has in fact but those systems usually carry some been some recovery in pressure due water into South Australia each year to the rehabilitation program. The contracting into waterholes in dry management approach adopted in years. Due to the high variability of the Water Allocation Plan will enable the region’s surface waters, the Great additional allocation of water within Artesian Basin is used as a reliable acceptable limits. water supply for townships including Roxby Downs and Moomba, and for grazing and mining. At Innamincka, very deep waterholes provide a year round water supply from the Cooper Creek. The soaks and springs of the Great Artesian Basin have cultural

64 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quantity

Local kids play on the lake bed. Photo: Australian Broadcasting Commission

Lake Albert. Photo: Australian Broadcasting Commission

watercourse and surface water area What are we doing (rivers, streams and other surface water resources) and five combined well, about it? watercourse and surface water areas.

South Australia’s Strategic Plan sets In 2004 the Catchment Water Tour of Lake Albert on a quad bike. targets for achieving sustainable water Management Boards were replaced by Photo: Australian Broadcasting Commission supplies for the state and aims for eight Natural Resources Management South Australia’s water resources to be Boards established under the NRM Act. managed within sustainable limits by South Australia’s eight Catchment Water 2018. Strategies focus on managing Management Boards had previously existing water resources, ensuring made a significant contribution to responsible water use, securing improving water management, and alternative supplies and policy and provided a catchment-based focus legislative reform. rather than the ad hoc approach The Natural Resources Management that was previously taken. The Natural Act, 2004 (NRM Act) formally Resources Management Boards are recognises the environment as a continuing this work, but with a greater legitimate user of water and contains focus on the integrated management of a range of planning and management natural resources. controls to address the sustainable use In addition to legislative controls to Lake Albert. Photo: Australian Broadcasting of South Australia’s water resources. address water for the environment, a Commission Likewise, the State Natural Resources number of trials have been initiated to Management Plan 2006 sets out improve our knowledge of environmental statewide policy directions and water requirements. These include guidelines to ensure a greater focus on environmental water provision trials the wise and integrated management from reservoirs in the Onkaparinga and of our water resources. Torrens systems, research projects on the Water resources have been prescribed environmental water requirements of in a number of areas of South Australia specific systems and mapping of water under the NRM Act. Prescription occurs dependent ecosystems. for areas where water resources are Agreed management regimes under stress or where there is a risk that between the Commonwealth and they will not meet future demand. state governments are in place to In these areas, a licence is required provide a framework for the sustainable before water can be taken for certain management of most major interstate purposes including irrigation. There are water resources including the Murray- currently 26 prescribed water resources Darling, Great Artesian, Otway and areas in South Australia: 15 prescribed Lake Eyre Basins. The governments well areas (groundwater resources), have agreed on a framework for the five prescribed watercourse areas sustainable management of Australia’s (rivers and streams), one prescribed

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 65 INLAND WATERS

Water usage in mining - extraction and processing

Water is an essential input to all mining projects. It may be used to transport ore as slurry through pipelines as with sand mining, but the majority is used in processes to form concentrates, often close to the source of the extracted ore. Water that is generally too saline for other uses can be suitable for these purposes. Small amounts of potable water are also required for drinking and domestic use. Cooper Creek entering Coongie Lake. Every proposal for a mining lease undergoes a comprehensive and highly Photo: Wetlands International consultative assessment process that among many other things, considers the potential impact on the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water and the effect on any other users. In areas where waters are prescribed under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, the potential operator must also seek a licence from the DWLBC, assessed according to the Water Allocation Plan for that area. A sample of existing or emerging mining projects in South Australia and their current or expected water use is provided below:

Project Water Usage Water Source Comment (target metal) (ML/day) Claypan west of Diamantina River. Olympic Dam 150 Great Artesian Proposed seawater Photo: Wetlands International expansion (Cu/ Basin - currently desalination plant U/Au) using ~33 of near Whyalla to ease allocated 42 ML/d use on Great Artesian Basin in relation to the expansion of the mine. Prominent Hill 16 Arckaringa Basin Water Licence (Cu/Au) applies. Water too saline for stock. Not affecting Great Artesian Basin. Mindarie ~11 Groundwater from Special Ministerial Mallee Prescribed dispensation. (mineral sands) Wells Area Affected water users will be compensated. Angas 3 Mine dewatering Mains water for and rainwater drinking and as (Zn) backup Honeymoon ~0.5 Local groundwater Too saline for stock. Desalinated (~15KL/ (U) d) for drinking and domestic use. Challenger 1.4 Groundwater Highly saline from local (~30,000ppm). (Au) palaeochannels Previously undiscovered source. Desalinated for drinking. Proposed 19 Groundwater Previously Jacinth/ from local undiscovered source. Ambrosia palaeochannels Highly saline. (mineral sands) Proposed White ~1.8 Local groundwater Too saline for stock Dam (Au) use

66 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quantity

A move towards better irrigation in the Riverland

In 2003 the Yalumba Wine Company in conjunction with its growers, embarked on an initiative to be a best practice irrigation model for growers in the Riverland. To do this, all the Yalumba growers aimed to convert to under-canopy drip systems by 2007. With the completion of the conversion the 1,000 Ha of Riverland supplying Yalumba with drip systems, it was expected that there would be a usage reduction of around 2.5 ML per Ha per year, which was estimated to save between 940 ML and 1140 ML per year from the entire area. The drip system also provided irrigation that was less variable due to reduced evaporative losses and in turn the vines produced crops with less variability. One grower recorded a 48% increase in yield, a rise of $3,000 per Ha in income together with a decrease of 40% in water consumption. Local farmers have been crippled by drought Yalumba is now experimenting with Ramsey rootstock, which is drought-tolerant, conditions in the Lower Lakes region. for grafting red grape varieties. The company believes that poor results to date Photo: Australian Broadcasting Commission are the result of poor irrigation management. Through these initiatives, the Yalumba Wine Company believes it can meet current and future water restrictions and set an example for irrigation in the Riverland region.

Source:: Ratcliff, A. Irrigation. Long-term approach to managing water resources, (2006). The Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker. November. Pp. 60-63.

water resources under the National environment. These non traditional sources Water Initiative. of water are increasingly being used in parts of South Australia, particularly Adelaide, Loss of artesian pressure and water to supplement water supplies. Some new from the Great Artesian Basin is being urban developments incorporate facilities managed through prescription and to enable the reuse of stormwater to irrigate a bore capping and drain enclosure parks and gardens. However, while South program. Managed through the Arid Australia is an international leader in the Areas NRM Board and the DWLBC the field of water reuse technology, it still only program receives support from the reuses a comparatively small proportion Commonwealth government. of available stormwater and treated The reuse of water resources such as wastewater. stormwater and treated wastewater are The major reuse of stormwater in South initiatives aimed at reducing the pressure Australia is through Managed Aquifer on more traditional water resources Recharge or Aquifer Storage and and reducing pollution of the marine Recovery. Managed Aquifer Recharge

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 67 INLAND WATERS

What more should we be doing?

The Environmental Protection Authority recommends the following: R2.3 Double the capture and re-use of stormwater and waste water by 2012. R2.4 Use a combination of water allocation planning, pricing, incentives and water rights to ensure sustainable water use by 2012.

Alignment of Recommendations with South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets

R2.3 R2.4

Bookpurnong watering 2004. Growing Prosperity T1.1, T1.22 T1.1, T1.14, Photo: Lisa Stribley T1.15, T1.22 Improving Wellbeing Attaining Sustainability T3.9, T3.10, T3.1, T3.9 T3.11 T3.10, T3.11 Fostering Creativity and Innovation Building Communities T5.9 T5.9 Expanding Opportunities

For further detail on South Australia’s Strategic Plan visit www.stateplan.sa.gov.au

Irrigation. Photo: Steven Mudge is the intentional storage of water in collaboration with the DWLBC, NRM aquifers for subsequent beneficial use. Boards and key stakeholders, is currently The amount of stormwater diverted to streamlining regulation of Managed Managed Aquifer Recharge in South Aquifer Recharge in South Australia. Australia ranges from 1 3 GL per annum Both the state government and private depending on availability. A number industry are pursuing desalination to of projects are currently under way, provide climate independent water including the Waterproofing the North sources for South Australia. Currently, and South projects, to increase the major desalination plants are proposed amount of water diverted to Managed by the government at Port Stanvac Aquifer Recharge to 20 GL by 2010 with in Gulf St Vincent, and by BHP Billiton more than $96.7 million invested by the at Pt Lowly in the Upper Spencer Gulf. state, federal and local governments Each of these proposed locations poses and the private sector. considerable environmental questions On 26 October 2003 the state based primarily on their location in Gulf government introduced permanent environments, rather than on ocean water conservation measures to protect coasts where considerably higher South Australia’s water resources into the energy would improve dispersal of future. These permanent measures are waste material into the local marine designed to reduce consumption in the environment. The subject of desalination long-term and promote water efficiency is covered in more depth in the Water across the community. The EPA, in chapter within Human Settlements.

68 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 Water Quantity

28D08649D6C8/0/SAWAnnualRe- References port2006_07.pdf • Recycled Water Overview, • Water Allocation Plan – McLaren (2007b). SA Water, Adelaide. Vale Prescribed Wells Area (2007). www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/ Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Environment/SaveWater/Envi- Natural Resources Management ronmentImprovementProgram/ Board, Adelaide. Recycled+Water+Overview.htm Alignment of Recommendations with South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets • Value of Agricultural Commodities • Land and Soil Spatial Data for Produced, Australia 2004-05 (7503.0), R2.3 R2.4 Southern South Australia — GIS (2006). Australian Bureau of Statistics, format, (2005). [CD ROM] Soil and Growing Prosperity T1.1, T1.22 T1.1, T1.14, Canberra. Land Program, DWLBC, Government T1.15, T1.22 • Climate Change Impacts for Australia, of South Australia, Adelaide. Improving Wellbeing (2001). Commonwealth Scientific and • Aquifer Condition and Extraction Attaining Sustainability T3.9, T3.10, T3.1, T3.9 Industrial Research Organisation Limits in the Padthaway and Tatiara T3.11 T3.10, T3.11 www.marine.csiro.au/iawg/ Prescribed Wells Areas. Information Fostering Creativity impacts2001.pdf Sheet 1, November 2006, (2006a). and Innovation • Climate change in Australia: South East Natural Resources Building Communities T5.9 T5.9 Technical Report 2007, (2007). CSIRO. Management Board, Mount Expanding Opportunities 148 pp Commonwealth Scientific and Gambier. Centre pivot irrigation system. Photo: EPA Industrial Research Organisation and • Sustainable Groundwater Australian Bureau of Meteorology Management in Tatiara and • State Water Plan, (2000). Department Padthaway. Information Sheet 5, for Water Resources, Government of November 2006, (2006b). South East South Australia, Adelaide. Natural Resources Management Board, Mount Gambier. • South Australian Strategic Plan, (2007). Government of South Australia, • Accounting for an Managing Adelaide. Plantation Forest Impacts on Groundwater. Information Sheet 7, • McInnes K.L., Suppiah R., Whetton November 2007, (2007). South East P.H., Hennessy K.J., and Jones R.N. Natural Resources Management Climate change in South Australia: Board, Mount Gambier. Report on Assessment of climate change, impacts and possible • Trewin, D. Water Account, Australia adaptation strategies relevant to 2004-05, (2006). Australian Bureau of South Australia (2003). Climate Impact Statistics, Canberra. Group, CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Melbourne. • Maschmedt, D.J. Assessing Further information Agricultural Land. Soil and Land Information, (2002). [CD ROM]DWLBC, South Australian Department of Water, Government of South Australia, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Adelaide. www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au • Australian Water Resources 2005, Natural Resources Management Boards (2006). National Water Commission www.nrm.sa.gov.au www.water.gov.au SA Water www.sawater.com.au • Water Allocation Plan – Northern Australian Government Department of Adelaide Plains Prescribed Wells Area, the Environment, Water, Heritage and (2000a). Northern Adelaide Plains the Arts www.environment.gov.au Catchment Water Management Board, Adelaide. • Water Allocation Plan – Barossa Prescribed Water Resources Area, (2000b). Northern Adelaide Plains Catchment Water Management Board, Adelaide. • Annual Report 2006-07, (2007a). SA Water, Adelaide. www.sawater.com.au/NR/ rdonlyres/5E2EFD13-6242-42A0-AF48-

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 69 INLAND WATERS

T3.10 River Murray - flows: Increase River Murray environmental flows by 500 gigalitres in the River Murray by 2009 as a first step towards improving sustainability in the Murray-Darling Basin, with a longer-term Trends target of 1500 gigalitres by 2018.

• The health of rivers, streams and T3.11 River Murray – salinity: South wetlands of the River Murray Australia maintains a positive balance floodplain is DECLINING due to: on the Murray-Darling Basin Commission - over extraction of water from salinity register. the river system South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007 - increasing salt levels - drought The River Murray and a - non-delivery of environmental flows. sustainable South Australia • The health of floodplain vegetation The River Murray flows for 640 km through is DECLINING. South Australia before discharging • The health of iconic sites at the at its mouth to the Southern Ocean. Australian pelicans, Coorong National Park. Chowilla floodplain, main channel Approximately 90% of the population Photo: DWLBC and connected wetlands, and of South Australia now relies, either in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and wholly or in part, on this river as a Murray Mouth is DECLINING due to water resource. the effects of over-extraction and In wet years reliance on the River Murray long-term below average rainfall, can be quite low in Adelaide’s reservoir leading to an inability to maintain catchments, with less than 30% of the water regimes. city’s water supply coming from the river. • The health of ecosystems However, this figure can reach as much dependent on the River Murray is as 85% in drought years. Keith, Whyalla DECLINING. and Port Pirie rely solely on the River • The use of water from the River Murray for drinking water. Murray is INCREASING due to The river is also an important source of entitlement flows being diverted for irrigation water and drinking water for irrigation. livestock. It also supports a wide range • The volume of river flow is of ecosystems, including floodplains, DECREASING wetlands, the Coorong and the main channel itself. It is home to many rare • Salinity is INCREASING and several threatened species. The river • Nutrients and turbidity in the and its environment are also important River Murray main channel are for recreational activities, tourism and for DECREASING due to reduced indigenous heritage and culture. Clearly, the river should be managed to sustain flows from the Darling River during 1.00 3500 multiple functions. 0.95 drought conditions. 0.90 0.85 • Macroinvertebrate communities A recent cultural heritage survey (Wood, 0.80 3000 0.75 of the River Murray are STABLE and 2005) has shown that the First People of 0.70 0.65 typical of a large, permanent, the River Murray and Mallee and the 0.60 2500 ) 0.55 D 0.50

Barkindji people have a long association H slow-flowing, regulated river. 0.45 A 0.40 2000 l

with the Chowilla floodplain. The River m

( 0.35 e

• Biodiversity of native fish species is l v

e 0.30

and its surrounds are one of the richest e v

0.25 L

DECLINING due to loss of habitat as e

L 1500 sources of Indigenous archaeological 0.20 C wetlands dry due to drought and 0.15 E and heritage sites in Australia. The 0.10 0.05 management actions. 0.00 1000 Ngarrindjeri people have similar -0.05 -0.10 important historical associations with -0.15 -0.20 500 the lower Murray and Coorong region. -0.25 Goals -0.30 The riverine and floodplain flora and -0.35

-0.40 0

1 1 1 1 1 2 8 7 2 8 2 9 2 9 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1

fauna represent spiritual connections, 3

9 7 8 9 9 0 / / 0 / 1 / 2 / 2 0 3 0 3 4 1 2 2 2 3 4 3 4 3 5 4 5 6 2 3 4 7 4 7 5 8 5 8 6 7 9 8 7 8 9 8 0

0 0 0 1 1 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

0 0 0 1 1 1 3 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

3 2 1 2 1 0 / / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 0 5 9 4 3 8 7 2 6 1 2 5 1 4 0 3 9 8 2 1 2 7 1 6 0 5 9 4 8 7 3 2 6 5 1 4

To achieve the ‘Objectives for a 2

2 2 2 2 2 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

2 2 2 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 and are part of the cultural economy of 2

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 8 0 7 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 7 5 7 5 5 7 7 5 7 5 4 7 4 7 4 7 4 4 7 7 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 6 4 4 6 6 4 6 3

Healthy River Murray’ as specified in Aboriginal people along the river. 6 Section 7 of the River Murray Act 2003. Date The river has supported European 5 day avg lake level Surcharge Level Full Supply Level 0.35m AHD 5 day avg EC Levels River Murray Act 2003 pastoralists since 1846 and livestock

70 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 River Murray

grazing is still important today. The river many factors including over-allocation and its floodplain provide for a range of water across the entire Murray-Darling of tourism and recreational activities basin, a reduction in the variability of including houseboats, camping, fishing flows, reduced frequency of floods, and other water activities. Extensive salinisation and the impact of introduced irrigation along its length has mainly species. supported dairy, fruit, nut and vegetable In response to this decline in late 2003 the crops including grape growing for wine. Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council The farm gate gross value of irrigated endorsed The Living Murray (TLM) initiative agriculture production along the River to return a 500 GL environmental flow of Murray in South Australia was estimated water to the River Murray by June 2009, to be around $550m in 2005-06 despite which will initially be directed to six iconic drought conditions and reduced water sites. Three of these sites are within South allocations. Allocations for 2007-08 were Australia: the River Murray channel (in capped at 32%, leading to significant part), the Chowilla floodplain and the losses of citrus and vines. The local Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth. communities and local businesses along Environmental Management Plans for the river also take a keen interest in the each site were first developed in 2005 condition of their local environment and and identify the specific environmental have formed a number of community Australian pelican. Photo: Tim Lubcke water needs and the necessary timing groups monitoring wetlands, undertaking of water delivery for each of them. They surveys, and participating in species are to be updated annually to reflect recovery activities. increasing knowledge and understanding Key Facts A range of legislation manages and of the sites. Around 10,000 fish were captured protects the River Murray. The River South Australia is responsible for and released during a study of fish Murray Act 2003 was introduced to recovering 35 gigalitres of TLM movement through the barrage ensure that new and existing activities environmental water, with eastern states fishways in January and February 2006. with potential to affect the river’s health responsible for the remainder. A South are undertaken in a way that protects, 40 high priority floodplain and wetland Australian Water Recovery Package maintains and improves its health. The sites were watered in 2005-06 by either has been developed to achieve this Natural Resources Management Act pumping or gravity-fed flows. All sites target by June 2009. 14 gigalitres per 2004 includes a requirement for a State have shown a significant ecological year of water have already been Natural Resources Management Plan. In response to the watering but sites that recovered. Work is underway to recover 2006 this plan outlined a 50-year vision for have not been watered since are the remaining water through projects natural resources management in South once again declining. including innovative market options and Australia and set out policies, milestones improved wetland management. The Bookpurnong salt interception and strategies to achieve it. scheme will intercept 50 tonnes of salt The increased understanding of the The declining ecological health of the a day at a pumping rate of 45 litres need to actively manage environmental River Murray has been recognised for a second. That is the daily equivalent water for the River Murray and its many years. The situation results from of more than could be held by an floodplain and wetland environment, Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Figure 2.13: Lake Alexandrina Water Level and Salinity 2004 - 2008

1.00 3500 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.80 3000 0.75 0.70 0.65 0.60 2500

) 0.55 D 0.50 H 0.45 A 0.40 2000 l m

( 0.35 e l v

e 0.30 e v

0.25 L e

L 1500

0.20 C

0.15 E 0.10 0.05 0.00 1000 -0.05 -0.10 -0.15 -0.20 500 -0.25 -0.30 -0.35

-0.40 0

1 1 1 1 1 2 8 7 2 8 2 9 2 9 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 3

9 7 8 9 9 0 / / 0 / 1 / 2 / 2 0 3 0 3 4 1 2 2 2 3 4 3 4 3 5 4 5 6 2 3 4 7 4 7 5 8 5 8 6 7 9 8 7 8 9 8 0

0 0 0 1 1 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

0 0 0 1 1 1 3 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

3 2 1 2 1 0 / / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 0 5 9 4 3 8 7 2 6 1 2 5 1 4 0 3 9 8 2 1 2 7 1 6 0 5 9 4 8 7 3 2 6 5 1 4 2

2 2 2 2 2 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

2 2 2 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 8 0 7 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 7 5 7 5 5 7 7 5 7 5 4 7 4 7 4 7 4 4 7 7 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 6 4 4 6 6 4 6 3 6

Date 5 day avg lake level Surcharge Level Full Supply Level 0.35m AHD 5 day avg EC Levels

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 71 INLAND WATERS

lead to the development in 2005 of the are highest. Alternative water supplies, Environmental Flows Strategy for the River such as individual desalination plants, Murray in South Australia. The actions in are being investigated for industries this strategy are being implemented and in this region. Increasing salinity is a key outcome has been a commitment already impacting on stock watering, to the function of the River Murray particularly in the Lower Lakes region Environmental Manager (RMEM) at the where levels in some locations near South Australian Murray-Darling Basin the Barrages have already rendered Natural Resources Management (SAMDB the water unsuitable for this purpose. NRM) Board. This function coordinates Ecologically, it is likely that just as the the delivery of environmental water Southern Lagoon has, the lakes will Low water levels, Hindmarsh Island, 2007. to where it is most needed through change significantly if there is no major Photo: Tim Goldsmith the development of an environmental inflow of fresh water from the river. watering plan. The RMEM has also been involved in trials to maximise the effect of environmental Indicators water by developing partnerships between the public and private sectors CONDITION INDICATORS for funding of temporary infrastructure and water donations for River Red Gum • Exceedences of water quality watering. A Floodplain Prioritisation guidelines for rivers and streams Project is underway that identifies floodplain units at a broad scale to assist The quality of water in South Australia’s in targeting investment in environmental creeks and rivers is assessed against flows for the future. As a result of increases national water quality guidelines. in plantations, farm dams, water use Classifications were made against efficiency, groundwater use and in guidelines for ecosystem protection, salinity interception, a net decline in irrigation, livestock drinking water environmental allocations is still expected. (ANZECC 2000), Australian drinking water (NHMRC 2004) and also for Increasing salinity in the river and safe recreational water environments floodplain is a further issue resulting (World Health Organisation [WHO] 2003 in costs for urban and industrial users, and Environment Protection Authority and adversely affecting the health of [EPA] 2003). Although the Australian wetlands, biodiversity and irrigated drinking water guidelines are designed horticultural crops. The South Australian to be used to assess water quality post Salinity Strategy was released in 2002 and treatment they have been used in with the other Basin states, South Australia this instance to assess raw water and is working to maintain a salinity target determine the its suitability for supply to of 800 EC at Morgan for 95% of the time a drinking water treatment plant. (drinking water guidelines set a target of 1,000 EC). Classifications have been simplified to ratings of ‘good’, ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’ To achieve this objective a range of based on the 90th percentile and actions have been required including median values measured between July development of salt interception 2002 and June 2007. The 95th percentile schemes along the River. There are now was used to classify the microbiological five such schemes operating in the state data, as recommended by the WHO with a further three proposed or in the (2003). A good rating means that levels planning stage. As they reduce flows in are better than the guidelines most of the river, the schemes need to be well the time, a moderate rating that they planned. Another important initiative are exceeded occasionally and a poor has been the introduction of the salinity rating that they are exceeded often. zoning policy to limit irrigation expansion in areas of high salinity discharge to • River health assessed according the river. to the Australian River Assessment Should salinity in the River Murray and System (AUSRIVAS) Lower Lakes rise above levels at which This provides an indication of the many crops will suffer yield declines, ecological health of rivers and streams major economic impacts are expected by assessing the type and number of for irrigators, adding to the challenges macroinvertebrates present. associated with low water availability. The economic impact will be most severe • The extent and condition of wetlands in the Lower Lakes where salinity levels This gives a rating for the health of

72 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 River Murray

wetlands by region and highlights See Condition Indicator: River health pressures on the extent of wetlands assessed according to the Australian River within the state. Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) for more information on the macroinvertebrate component of the SRA. PRESSURE INDICATOR The SRA’s fish component has been carried out along with other studies on • Use of surface water resources versus fish communities in the River Murray availability by the South Australian Research and This is an indicator of the sustainability of Development Institute (SARDI) (Bice and present use levels from various resources. Ye 2007, Smith et al. 2007a and Smith et al. Murray Cod. Photo: Jason Higham 2007b). Fish sampling for the SRA was undertaken What is the current between April and June 2005 in the River Murray Cod Murray and the Eastern Mount Lofty situation? Ranges (EMLR) tributaries at 28 sites, 25 Murray Cod are an iconic species of of which were on the South Australian the River Murray and Australia’s largest The River Murray is facing an side of the border with the remainder in freshwater fish. They live for as long as unprecedented crisis. For the first time, New South Wales. Standard fish sampling 50 years and grow to more than 110kg the Murray-Darling Basin has been methods were used, including boat and 1.8 m long. The species used to be subject to the full impact of an extended and backpack electrofishing and box abundant in the lower and mid-altitude 10-year period of low rainfall on its highly trapping. reaches of the Murray-Darling Basin, but regulated and over utilised river systems. is now significantly reduced in both range In total, 6285 individual fish from 20 The drought may have been intensified and abundance. A moratorium on taking species were collected, including 14 by underlying trends of adverse climate Murray cod from South Australian waters native and six non native species. The change, but the immediate factor is was declared from 1991 to 1994 following native species included seven nationally that Basin-wide water resources have a decline in the population to very low (EPBC Act 1999) and/or state (DEH 2003) been over-allocated and resource levels. Floods in the early 1990s rebuilt listed species, including two species listed managers have so far been unable to stocks and fishing was re opened in 1994. as endangered, one vulnerable and resolve this issue. Since then there has been little indication four rare. of strong recruitment, (breeding and It has been a decade since the last The fish community in the EMLR tributaries survival of larvae to maturity). Previous effective over bank flows. In the were quite different to those in the Murray research on Murray cod in South 2006-07 year there were record low channel. Likewise communities in the Australia indicates a strong link between inflows into the Murray-Darling Basin lower Murray were found to be different recruitment and river flow. With the lack together with very low water storage from those in the middle and upper of high river flows since the early 1990s, levels. These inflow levels lead to the regions of the South Australian Murray- Murray cod have failed to breed in suspension of the standard water sharing Darling Basin (SAMDB). Of the 20 species significant numbers even though they arrangements under the Murray-Darling collected, only five were present in both are believed to breed well until at Basin Agreement and implementation the EMLR tributaries and the River Murray. least 30 years of age. of special arrangements under the These include native flathead gudgeon Agreement to ensure that states that are There is a high risk that the stock could (Philypnodon grandiceps), dwarf flathead dependent on the Murray-Darling Basin decline further unless strong year classes gudgeon (Philypnodon sp.), common have equal shares of the limited water are introduced. An increased minimum galaxias (Galaxias maculatus), exotic available. However, much of South size limit, decreased bag limit and a redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) and eastern Australia’s share is lost through providing campaign to raise awareness of correct Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki). Three water to maintain the system as the River handling techniques for releasing large native species, southern pygmy perch travels through South Australia. Murray cod caught by recreational fishers, (Nannoperca australis), mountain will help protect the species during the The Murray-Darling Basin Commission galaxias (Galaxias olidus) and Galaxias present drought. The longer-term objective (MDBC), and the Commonwealth sp. 1 (Tarmo Raadik, DSE, Victoria), is to ensure that sufficient breeding stocks and state governments are supporting and two exotic species, rainbow trout are maintained prior to the next flood. the collection of river health data in (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout Work is underway in South Australia to River Murray catchments through the (Salmo trutta), were only collected in restore habitat and understand the Sustainable Rivers Audit (SRA). the EMLR. A further eight native and two importance of river flows to Murray cod exotic species were only collected in the The SRA provides long-term monitoring of and other species in order to develop River Murray. Two nationally vulnerable ecosystem health in the basin based on strategies to enhance recruitment and species, the Murray cod (Maccullochella themes including fish, macroinvertebrates survival of eggs and larvae. peelii peelii) and the silver perch and hydrology. Two additional themes, (Bidyanus bidyanus) can also be found in Murray cod was nationally listed as a vegetation and physical form, to cover the River Murray in South Australia (Ye and threatened species in 2003 (EPBC Act channels and floodplains are currently Zampatti 2007, Zampatti et al. 2005). 1999) and commercial fishing in the being developed. The first SRA report will South Australian section of the River be available from the MDBC in 2008. CONDITION INDICATOR: Murray ceased in 2004.

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 73 INLAND WATERS

Map 2.4: Water quality at selected sites along the River Murray and Lower Lakes, July 2002 to June 2007

Water Quality Classification: Good Moderate Poor

Environment Value: Ecosystem Irrigation Livestock Drinking Recreation

Bacteria NA NA NA NA Bacteria NA NA NA NA Bacteria NA NA NA NA Bacteria NA NA NA NA

Nutrients NA Nutrients NA Nutrients NA Nutrients NA

Clarity NA NA Clarity NA NA Clarity NA NA Clarity NA NA

Salinity NA Salinity NA Salinity NA Salinity NA

River Murray at Morgan

River Murray Lock 3

River Murray at Mannum

River Murray at Murray Bridge River Murray at Tailem Bend 0 10 20 30 40 50km

Lake Alexandrina Monitoring site at Milang Lake Alexandrina at Poltalloch Plains River Murray and Lower Lakes Goolwa Barrage Built-up area

Lake Albert at Meningie Major road

Data Source: Environment Protection Authority

SPAR ID: 2767

Bacteria NA NA NA NA Bacteria NA NA NA NA Bacteria NA NA NA NA Bacteria NA NA NA NA Bacteria NA NA NA NA

Nutrients NA Nutrients NA Nutrients Nutrients NA Nutrients NA

Clarity NA NA Clarity NA NA Clarity NA NA Clarity NA NA Clarity NA NA

Salinity NA Salinity NA Salinity NA Salinity NA Salinity NA

74 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 River Murray

Figure 2.14: Lake Alexandrina Level: Forecasting from February 2008. Source: DWLBC 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 )

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

H 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A -0.1 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 m

( -0.2 l

e -0.3 v e

L -0.4 r e t _ -0.5 a

W -0.6 -0.7 -0.8 -0.9 -1 -1.1 -1.2 Date (month/year)

Projected Low er Lakes Levels Observed Low er Lakes Levels

Figure 2.15: Lake Alexandrina Salinity: Forecasting from February 2008. Source: DWLBC

8000

7000

6000 ) _ C 5000 E

( Dredging the Murray Mouth. Photo: DWLBC y t i n i l 4000 a S

3000

2000

1000

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9

Date (month/year)

Indictative Lake Alexandrina Salinity Observed Lake Alexandrina Salinity

Exceedences of water quality through algal growth. guidelines for creeks and rivers Clarity Nutrients The Lower River Murray is naturally quite Nutrient concentrations monitored turbid, though this is variable, mainly due between 2002 and 2007 often to flows from the turbid Darling River. exceeded ecosystem guidelines and This effect has been extended from an were classified as moderate between average of two to seven months through the border and Morgan, and poor the practice of storing Darling water in downstream of Morgan. This is an Lake Victoria and gradually releasing it improvement since the last State of the to supply South Australia. Water clarity Environment Report when nutrients were improves when water from the River classified as poor at all sites. This change Murray catchment dominates the flow. is likely to be due to drier conditions Water clarity of the Murray was classified and reduced inflows from the eastern as poor against drinking water standards states transporting nutrients down the at all EPA monitoring sites. However, as river. When assessing against drinking the guidelines are only applicable to water guidelines for both humans drinking water post treatment, these and livestock, nutrient concentrations results merely suggest that treatment of were given a good rating for the entire the raw river water is required before length of the river within South Australia. consumption. Water clarity was also However, for irrigation purposes classified as poor at all but one site for nutrients were classified as poor at all recreational use, suggesting that most of EPA monitoring sites due to elevated the time visibility in the water is less than phosphorus concentrations, which may 1.6 metres. This presents a hazard for cause clogging of irrigation equipment

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 75 INLAND WATERS

swimmers, waterskiers and boat users. For Salinity in the Lower Lakes is considerably Acid Sulfate Soils the Murray’s aquatic ecosystems water higher than in the main channel and clarity is considered to be in moderate is considered to be in poor condition The Murray-Darling Basin is currently experiencing the worst drought on condition at most sites, with good clas- for human consumption and irrigation record. Water levels in the River Murray sifications resulting at Goolwa (due to of sensitive crops, and is currently only have dropped in South Australia, dilution from seawater intrusions) and suitable as a shandied water supply. The particularly between Lock 1 at Lock 3. use of saline irrigation water can cause Blanchetown, and the Murray Mouth. accumulation of salts in the soil. This in Low water levels have exposed wetlands, Salinity turn, can degrade the soil leading to a reduction in crop yield. Saline irrigation areas of riverbank and parts of the Lower Salinity in the main channel between water can also be directly toxic to Lakes that have been submerged since the border and Murray Bridge has been the locks, weirs and barrages were the plants being irrigated, resulting in lower on average in the past few years completed between 1922 and 1940. browning of the leaves and in some than reported in the previous State of This has resulted in the formation and cases defoliation. the Environment Report. This decrease is exposure of acid sulfate soils in some of most likely due to reduced flows through these exposed areas and others are at Salinity on the floodplain is accumulating risk of developing such soils. the Basin, decreasing the salt loads in the during the long period without the river. In 2008 however, salinity levels have flushing effect of over-bank flows. Highly Acid sulfate soils are soils that either increased in the Murray due to saline saline regional groundwater, often more contain sulfuric acid or have the groundwater intrusion, evaporation and salty than seawater, is rising into the root potential to form sulfuric acid when seawater influxes at the Barrages. zone of eucalypt woodlands, effecting exposed to oxygen. These soils form their health. Where groundwater lies naturally in both coastal and freshwater Salinity has increased in Lake Alexandrina close to the surface, capillary action environments where there are large and Lake Albert. The salinity in Lake Albert draws it up into surface pools, which are amounts of sulfate in the surface or is considerably higher (usually 2,000-2,500 often more than 50,000 EC. ground water, together with large mg/L) than that of Lake Alexandrina amounts of organic matter such as (usually 1,000-1,500 mg/L) but is increasing Bacteria decaying vegetation, in waterlogged in both lakes with salinity measurements areas. These environments are ideal for in the first half of 2008 around 3000 mg/L The microbiological condition of the the build-up of sulfide minerals. Since in Lake Albert and around 2,000 mg/L in Murray varies from site to site, with poor the completion of the locks, weirs and Lake Alexandrina. This is due to reduced classifications resulting for Lake Albert at barrages, sulfide minerals have been freshwater flows along the Murray as well Meningie, Lake Alexandrina at Poltalloch collecting in the submerged soils of the as seawater influxes through the Barrages Plains and the main channel at both Lower Murray’s waterways. As water near the Murray Mouth as water levels in Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge. levels fall exposing mud banks, the the lakes fell below sea level. Salinity levels minerals are being exposed to the air Historically bacterial concentrations at Goolwa increased dramatically during and forming sulfuric acid. have often exceeded recreational and 2007 for this reason. drinking water guidelines downstream Once identified acid sulfate soils can be effectively managed or treated. Salinity throughout the main channel of of Mannum. The likely sources of However, if they are left untreated, these the Murray is considered acceptable these bacteria are the Lower Murray soils can become a serious problem for aquatic ecosystems, however, a Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA) and posing risks to water quality with the different situation prevails on parts of grazing cattle around the Lakes region. potential of negatively impacting on the floodplain, where salt is steadily Concentrations of bacteria at Lock 3, human and animal health, agriculture, accumulating due to a lack of flushing, Morgan and Goolwa are considered the environment and infrastructure. leaving floodplain wetlands and to be good. At Milang and Mannum woodlands, and associated wildlife at they are occasionally elevated and The state government is closely significant risk. As drought conditions considered to be moderate. monitoring the issue of acid sulfate soils ease and water returns to the tributaries, along the River Murray and around the In the last few years, bacterial wetlands and floodplains, it is likely that Lower Lakes and has commissioned concentrations have declined at Tailem the salinity will initially rise further as these the CSIRO to complete detailed studies Bend. This is likely to be due to reduced systems are flushed out and the built up on the presence, characteristics and water allocations for flood-irrigators and salt is carried to the main channel. management of these soils. Ultimately, major infrastructure rehabilitation of farms additional inflows to the South Australian Salinity is considered suitable for livestock in the LMRIA resulting in decreases in the section of the River Murray and Lower drinking water at all sites except Goolwa amount of run-off from these areas. The Lakes are needed to reduce further where seawater intrusion has resulted in low flows in the river may also be helping exposure to these soils. A special very high salinity levels. Salinity upstream to reduce the bacteria loads further allocation of 2 GL has been made from of Murray Bridge is considered suitable downstream by allowing settling environmental water to refill at-risk sites for irrigation and for human consumption. of particles. below the Blanchetown weir. However occasional spikes in salinity at For further information see the acid Tailem Bend, possibly due to wind pushing CONDITION INDICATOR: River health sulfate soils factsheet on the Department river water into salt-rich areas off channel assessed according to the Australian of Water, Land and Biodiversity and the water then carrying salt back River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) Conservation (DWLBC) website: to the main channel, means that water www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/ The macroinvertebrate community of the at this site is considered in moderate index.html River Murray is considered to be in good condition for these uses. to moderate condition. There were no

76 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 River Murray

obvious patterns in condition along the border and the river mouth. Data on river, instead the ratings reflect available water quality (surface and groundwater), habitat at each sampling location rather ecology (macroinvertebrates, fish, frogs, Drought recovery than water quality condition. No macroin- birds), physical site characteristics and vertebrate samples have been collected vegetation surveys was gathered for Considerable resources are being from the Lower Lakes region. each wetland. The data was collected invested in drought management, to provide information on the condition but it is essential to plan for recovery In the 2006 SRA survey, conducted by of these wetlands and aid wetland from the drought and the most the EPA, macroinvertebrate samples management planning. Information equitable use of the available water. were collected from 25 sites in the main is available fro each wetland at the The replenishing of storages must be channel of the River Murray between following website: www.samdbnrm.sa. balanced with environmental needs Wellington and Mildura, as well as gov.au/BoardProjects/RiverMurray as the ecological health of the river some of the tributaries, such as Ral Ral EnvironmentManager/WetlandsBase- cannot wait until all storages have Creek and Monoman Creek. Samples lineSurvey.aspx. been filled and all consumptive water of species commonly found in the allocations restored. river such as the mite Peza ops, the Due to the recent drought conditions mayflies Tasmanocoenis tillyardi and and potential lack of water available Tasmanocoenis arcuata, the isopod for critical human needs many of the Austroargathona picta, the shrimp wetlands along the River Murray have genus Caridina sp., the freshwater been temporarily disconnected from prawn Macrobrachium australiense, the the main channel, with some drying freshwater crab Amarinus lacustris, the up completely. This has been done to Elmid beetle Coxelmis v. fasciatus and reduce evaporative losses which are the non-biting midges Zavreliella sp. and greater in these waterbodies than in Monopelopia sp. were all collected. the main channel. As at June, 2008, 33 wetlands had been disconnected. These There was little difference between the wetlands are already suffering stress, and 2002 and 2006 surveys, suggesting that are at significant risk of suffering long term the macroinvertebrate communities damage if they are not re-filled promptly. within the main channel of the river and The reduction in water is adding stress to in the larger tributaries have not altered wetland ecosystems as well as leading appreciably in the last few years. There to the exposure of acid sulfate soils (see are also few differences in macroinverte- ‘Acid Sulfate Soils’ information box). brate communities along the Murray with most of the taxa collected typical of those Since 2004, fish surveys have been found in large permanent slow-flowing conducted by SARDI Aquatic Sciences streams of southern Australia. at 74 wetlands along the River Murray between the border and its mouth, with 18 native and five exotic species CONDITION INDICATOR: The extent and of fish being collected. The Lower condition of wetlands Lakes region contains the most diverse There is still no comprehensive, wetland fish assemblage of any region scientifically based information on the in the South Australian Murray Darling hydrological and ecological condition of Basin (SAMDB). Species found in this wetlands or their extent along the South region include salt-tolerant species, Australian section of the River Murray. migratory species (those that migrate between fresh and salt waters), one There are more than 250 wetland species considered threatened in South complexes along the River Murray in Australia (southern pygmy perch) and this state. The extraction of water for two that are considered threatened irrigation, domestic and industrial use has on a national scale (the Yarra pygmy significantly affected the health of those perch (Nannoperca obscura) and the wetlands. Other impacts include the Murray hardyhead (Craterocephalus presence of the locks, weirs, barrages, fluviatilis). The upper and middle regions floodplain levees, grazing, salinisation, of the SAMDB have always recorded introduced fish and plants, and drought. the highest relative densities of wetland The River Murray Wetlands Baseline fishes, particularly ‘generalist’ species that Survey Project, referring principally to off- tend to be more abundant in permanent channel water bodies, was undertaken wetlands. between 2003 and 2006 by the South The SAMDB NRM Board oversees the Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural monitoring of managed wetlands on Resource Management Board. The the River Murray in South Australia. survey encompassed 69 wetlands along Managed wetlands require a wetland the River Murray between the Victorian water licence, which may be obtained

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 77 INLAND WATERS

Figure 2.16: River Murray prescribed if there is an interested community 35,000 ML/d. It is these flows that have watercourse, water use summary (5 year group, a completed baseline ecological significant environmental benefit and average) survey and an approved management their frequency and duration has been plan. 200 GL of South Australia’s annual significantly reduced due to water 500.0 entitlement flow diversions. An environmental entitlement 450.0 has been set aside for the management for the River is a necessary next step in 400.0 of wetlands. improving its management.

s 350.0

e The SAMDB NRM Board has undertaken The South Australian Cap on water r t i l

a 300.0 a wetland prioritisation project to diversions is 740 GL per year. The past g i systematically identify high priority five year average yearly water use for

G 250.0 wetlands for future management South Australia has been 630 GL. This is 200.0 and provision of water to ensure the divided into four components: 150.0 protection of rare, diverse and high value • metro Adelaide water supply; 100.0 wetlands. This water would be available 50.0 in most years except under water • country towns water supply; 0.0 restrictions, as in 2007-08. s r • highland irrigation; and ly n ly n e p n p p io h io p w p t t m t u o u a o a a Manipulation of weir pool levels can S T S ig w ig • reclaimed swamps irrigation. r ry r rr d S rr e t e I n d I t n t d a e improve the ecological health of riparian a u a n W o W la im Drought conditions and increased C h la zones and wetlands within the relevant Adelaide Metro g c i e interception have eroded the above H R reach. Trials have been undertaken to entitlement flow over the border during Use (GL/y) Use Limit demonstrate such improvements and a weir pool management strategy is the past decade as is evidenced by the ongoing need to dredge the Note: Use Limit is the maximum permissible use under being developed. Plans to increase the the SA River Murray Cap. Five year average figures are Murray Mouth to keep it open. In fact for the period 2001-02 to 2005-06. The highland structural integrity of weirs to withstand irrigation and other diversions Use Limit includes entitlement flows have not been met in diversions for pumped irrigation plus stock and greater head differences associated with domestic, recreation, environment and industrial use the last few years. and can vary from year to year due to inter-State and changes in weir pool levels are part of internal water trade. this strategy. This reduction in flow is reflected in SOURCE: MDBC WATER AUDIT MONITORING REPORT for reduced water allocations at the the years 2001-02 to 2005-06 beginning of each irrigation season, which starts on 1 July. In 2003-04, What are the pressures? allocations began at 65%, rising to 95% by mid November. In 2004-05, PRESSURE INDICATOR: Use of surface allocations began at 70%, rising to 95% water resources versus availability by mid February. In 2005-06, they began at 70%, rising to 100% by mid October. South Australia is entitled to receive 1,850 GL of water per annum across the The continuing and intensified drought border as an Entitlement Flow under the during 2006-07 lead to the flow into Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. This is South Australia being the lowest on the agreed minimum flow needed for record at 1470 GL. Water allocations extractive use and channel maintenance began at 80% then reduced to 60% in (navigation) of the River Murray, but mid November and remained at that after water has been extracted for level for the remainder of the year. consumptive use, the remaining volume The 2007-08 year began as the worst on of water does not satisfy environmental record for inflows into the Murray-Darling requirements. Basin with allocation beginning at 4% For more than a century until this past and rising to 32% in December. This level decade, South Australia frequently of allocation remained at 32% for the received much greater flows than remainder of the season. 1,850 GL and this has sustained the Although water use across the Basin is environment while masking the capped at 1993-94 extraction levels, accumulating impact of over-allocation. in the past few years new pressures Managed flows under entitlement on water resource availability have conditions range from 3000 ML/d in winter been identified. These include climate to 7,000 ML/d in summer, due to peak change, afforestation, expansion demand in the irrigation season. of farm dams, bushfires, reduced Even if extra water flows to South return flows and increased use of Australia, flows up to 25,000 ML/d are groundwater. These identified uses contained within the mainstream. For are collectively referred to as risks to over-bank flows to occur and water to the shared water resources of the spill onto the floodplain and fill wetlands Basin. In 2007 the Murray-Darling Basin and flood runners, flows must exceed Commission in association with the

78 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 River Murray

affected states, developed the Murray- (b) The environments constituted by the Darling Basin Risks Strategy to determine River Murray system, with particular the extent of these risks, and identify reference to high-value floodplains gaps in knowledge and actions that and wetlands of national and need to be undertaken to reduce them international importance, are to be and their impact. protected and restored. The South Australian icon sites identified under The Living Murray initiative include What are we doing Ramsar wetlands of international significance. Water recovery and return about it? of environmental flow to the River Murray will increase the possibility of protecting The River Murray Act, proclaimed in and restoring these sites, however there July 2003, establishes 15 objectives for a is concern that entitlements are being healthy River Murray in the four areas of eroded faster than they are being put river health, environmental flow, water back. Environmental management quality and the human dimension. plans for the icon sites identify the Progress towards meeting these water needed for their restoration and objectives is reported on as required by maintenance. At the Chowilla Floodplain the Environment Protection Act 1993. site, 22 River Red Gum habitats have been watered since 2004 as part of The River health objectives Living Murray Program, plus at the Clarks Rare and threatened fish species have been (a) The key habitat features in the River Floodplain site near Berri since 2005. rescued from the River Murray and will be Murray system are to be maintained, As part of the development of a new kept in holding tanks until the Lower Lakes protected and restored in order to Ramsar Management Plan for the levels increase after the drought. enhance ecological processes. Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Photo: Michael Hammer Scientific reports (Jones et al 2002, Mouth, a detailed ecological character Phillips et al 2005) show that the River description (Phillips et al 2005) identifies Murray needs more water to ensure the values of the site including the maintenance and protection of the species, communities and habitats found riverine environment. Through The at the site that make it unique to Australia Living Murray initiative, it is intended to and the world. The description sets limits return 500 GL of water to the river as on acceptable change that enable environmental flow by June 2009, with wetlands managers to recognise when 1,500 GL by 2018. This water will initially sufficient change in ecological character be directed to The Living Murray iconic has occurred to warrant management sites including the Chowilla floodplain, intervention. The current condition of the Coorong, Lower Lakes, Murray Mouth the Lower Lakes has likely exceeded and the main channel in South Australia. a number of these limits however To date 13 GL per year has been monitoring has not been undertaken to recovered. confirm the extent of this. The Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse (2002) (c) The extinction of native species of reserves 200 GL of river flow, when it is animal and vegetation associated available under normal flow conditions, with the River Murray system is to be for use by wetlands .This water is prevented. allocated to 27 wetlands that have management plans. Any other water Programs are underway to protect and available for environmental use including maintain the biological assets of the water donations, has been directed to River Murray. River Red Gum watering projects and River Red Gum watering projects at key barrage fishway operation. sites along the river have shown excellent Local community groups manage outcomes from the delivery of small wetlands along the River Murray. The volumes of water at crucial times during SAMDB NRM Board staff assist with the year. Water has been pumped into monitoring and management through wetlands and small creeks and temporary grants for improvements. Wetland and barriers have been installed to ensure the floodplain prioritisation projects have water is retained for extended periods. identified sites along the River Murray in However, the wider picture is much less South Australia where action should be encouraging. Surveys for MDBC have focussed to protect rare species and shown that a high proportion of trees are preserve high value diverse habitats. dead or dying.

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 79 INLAND WATERS

In 2004 commercial fishing in the River of other restricted species such as river Murray in South Australia ceased. This blackfish in the Mount Lofty Ranges during has benefited native fish by reducing this the summer of 2007-08 may result in further pressure on their numbers. rescues to ensure these species are not lost to South Australia. Improvements in rainfall and river levels, and the condition Native Fish rescues of habitat, will determine when the While periods of drought are not unusual rescued fish can be returned. in South Australia, low rainfall conditions throughout the Murray-Darling Basin since Macroinvertebrate losses 2001 have coincided with ever increasing Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon in captivity. human pressures, discussed throughout Two snails that are known to have Photo: Michael Hammer this chapter, on populations of protected once been common in the River, Thiara fish species. Many threatened species balonnensis and Notopala sublineata have populations that are naturally hanleyi have not been found for several restricted or fragmented in range or have years downstream of the border, although contracted to small areas and hence are they do still occur in irrigation pipelines particularly vulnerable to drought. near Kingston on Murray and are being translocated into regional wetlands (e.g. The conditions across the Murray-Darling Banrock Station). Basin contributed to very low water levels in the reach below Lock 1 and Lake Another species that was once commonly Alexandrina over the summer of 2006-07, found in the South Australian section of while low rainfall also affected water flows the river is the Murray crayfishEuastacus in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and its armatus that historically, was found as far associated fish communities. This prompted downstream as Murray Bridge. This crayfish the state government to undertake a is now considered to be rare or absent project to monitor sites with threatened fish downstream of Mildura (Gilligan et al. 2007). Yarra Pygmy Perch rescue pond. at risk of impact from drought. Photo: Michael Hammer (d) Barriers to the migration of native Targeted populations include: species within the River Murray system are to be avoided or overcome. • The single known population of southern purple-spotted gudgeon in The Murray-Darling Basin Commission the River Murray; has continued with its Hume to the Sea fish project to improve fish movement • River blackfish populations in Rodwell along the River Murray. Three fishways Creek and the Marne River; have been built into the barrages and 24 • Southern pygmy perch in the remote controlled gates have been built Angas River; to provide greater operational flexibility. • Yarra pygmy perch in the Lower Monitoring has shown that a large number Finniss River; of fish of different species were utilising the fishways. However, with water levels in the • Murray hardyhead populations Lower Lakes currently below sea level fish isolated within and reliant upon are unable to utilise the fishways. saline wastewater disposal basins in the Riverland (Disher Creek and Berri On the Chowilla floodplain there are Disposal Basin); and proposals to improve fish passage. Bank E is an existing stone and earth bank in • Yarra and southern pygmy perch on poor condition that limits the ability for Hindmarsh Island. weir pool raising and restricts fish passage. Deteriorating conditions and an inability This bank will be replaced by a rock to maintain critical habitats in the Lower ramp fishway that will provide access for Murray, Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina, fish to over 100 km of anabranch creek necessitated the rescue of Yarra pygmy system. It will enable future weir pool perch and southern purple-spotted level manipulations at Lock 6 to create gudgeons from disconnected and drying favourable conditions for a range of fish refuge areas in February 2007. The fish in the downstream creek and wetlands that have been rescued have since been providing access to off-channel fish maintained in a specially constructed nursery habitat. holding facility and continue to remain in good health. Close monitoring of the previous habitats of fish rescued in 2007 and populations

80 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 River Murray

Environmental flow objectives while bird species that feed on fish have disappeared. (a) Ecologically significant elements of the natural flow regime of the River Murray system are to be reinstated (c) Significant improvements are to be and maintained. made in the connectivity between and Weir pool manipulations can be used within the environments constituted by to enhance natural peaks in River the River Murray system. Murray flow. Raising the level of weir A study of the River Murray in South pools enables the temporary flooding of Australia (Leigh and Zampatti, 2005) wetlands increasing their water levels, identified the barrier points for fish restoring ecological processes and movement within anabranch and off- functions, and flushing salt from the channel habitats. Where possible, fish wetlands. A weir pool management friendly regulators and channels under strategy has been under development roads are being used to improve the for a number of years to allow this action passage between habitats. Fishways at to occur more frequently. Wetland weirs and barrages also assist the passage management through the installation of of fish and via the Hume to the Sea project regulators allows wetlands to experience fishways will be established at each weir. a wetting and drying cycle that mimics the natural rise and fall of river levels. However, implementation of these Water quality objectives measures is dependent on flows greater than entitlement. Trials have been (a) Water quality within the River Murray undertaken at Lock 5 in recent years. system should be improved to a level that sustains the ecological processes, environmental values and productive (b) The Murray Mouth should be kept capacity of the system. open in order to maintain navigation The EPA is implementing the National and the passage of fish in the area, Water Quality Management Strategy and to enhance the health of the (NWQMS) in the Murraylands region in River Murray system and estuarine collaboration with the SAMDB NRM Board. conditions in the Coorong. A key component of the NWQMS is Dredging of the Murray Mouth started establishment of specific environmental in October 2002 and has continued values (EVs) and water quality objectives for over six years. Since dredging (WQOs) for different water bodies within commenced, about five million cubic the region, e.g. the main river channel, metres of sand has been moved, at a Lower Lakes, Coorong, eastern Mt Lofty cost of $27 million. This has maintained Ranges tributaries and prescribed ground channels between the Murray Mouth waters. EVs describe the uses that a body Chowilla Floodplain. Photos: DWLBC and the Coorong, ensuring the passage of water should be protected for, as of cooling seawater flows while agreed by a local community, including for enabling the movement of estuarine aquatic ecosystems, livestock, drinking and fish between the sea and the estuary recreational activities. below the barrages. Initially two dredges The water quality targets that are to be maintained these channels but this was achieved or maintained in order to protect reduced to one in 2007 as ongoing work the EVs are the WQOs. The setting of has removed sufficient sand from the WQOs takes into account the social and channel to necessitate only one dredge economic impact of achieving individual for maintenance. targets. Dredging at the Mouth has generated Establishing the NWQMS process in the insufficient water exchange to the Murraylands region will provide a blueprint Southern Lagoon, which is now for future water quality management, hypersaline and has experienced a protecting ecosystem values while change of state with no fish species maintaining their economic value for remaining. There has been a significant decline in the aquatic angiosperm tourism, industry, fishing and agriculture, as Ruppia tuberosa, a very significant well as their recreational value. decline in migratory waders and a To protect the water quality of the River, dramatic increase in brine shrimp as a risk assessment project has been the main food source. This change in undertaken to determine the risks to water habitat has attracted banded stilts to quality in the River Murray, Lower Lakes and the Southern Lagoon in large numbers, Coorong that make up the River Murray

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Water Protection Area (EPA 2007d). The (b) The impact of salinity on the hazards identified by the study include ecological processes and Macroinvertebrates marinas, stormwater outlets, septic tanks, productive capacity of the River flood-irrigated areas and horticultural Murray system is to be minimised. Macroinvertebrates are aquatic zones. An outcome of the project was a animals without backbones that are Since the last State of the Environment detailed database of water quality risks large enough to be seen with the Report was released, the salinity of water that will be maintained and updated naked eye. They include insects, entering South Australia has usually been as required. Risk assessment is to be an crustaceans, molluscs, worms, mites less than 200 µS/cm increasing to around ongoing process and as more information and sponges. 450 µS/cm by the time it reaches Murray becomes available the parameters will be Bridge. This increase is due to saline The insects include the larvae of flying refined. groundwater intrusions between the insects, e.g. midges, two-winged flies, Risk management options have since border and Murray Bridge. dragonflies, mayflies, stoneflies and been proposed for each region studied caddisflies, and the adults of some In Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert during the project. These cover capital groups including waterbugs, beetles salinity has been even higher. or on-ground works, capacity building, and springtails. The more familiar Concentrations have usually been monitoring, policy planning and research crustaceans include yabbies and around 1000 µS/cm in the northern end and development. The risks considered freshwater shrimps and prawns. of Lake Alexandrina and around 2000 to be high to very high include the LMRIA, µS/cm at Goolwa and in Lake Albert. Macroinvertebrates are used in leakage from large horticultural areas, However, salinity in the Lower Lakes biological monitoring studies because large tributary river discharges and WWTP region has increased across this five-year they are common, widely distributed, effluent ponds and STEDS. period due to a combination of reduced easily sampled and readily identified The EPA has recently released the flows from the Murray, evaporation and by experienced biologists. Code of Practice for Vessel and Facility seawater intrusion past the barrages. Management: Marine and Inland Although salinity in the Murray’s main Waters (2007). This code has been channel over the past five years has produced to help operators of inland generally been lower than the previous vessels that produce greywater, such five, the prolonged low flow condition as houseboats, to implement measures during 2007 combined with evaporation to avoid the environmental and public has increased salinity. In response to this health risks associated with discharging Lake Bonney has been isolated from that greywater into the state’s aquatic the main channel to prevent further environments. It also introduces a range of increases due to saline inputs from the options for the management of greywater, lake. As water levels decrease and the depending on the size of and manner in river level downstream of Lock 1 drops, which, the vessel is used. it is likely that additional salt discharges Greywater is defined as water that has will enter the Murray increasing salinity been used for washing, laundering, in this section. The longer river levels bathing or showering. It includes water remain low, the more salinity will increase containing byproducts such as fat and oil, and the magnitude of salinity peaks will food scraps, household chemicals, soap, depend on how long it takes for flows detergent and microbiological pathogens to return to the River. Water in the Lower such as bacteria and viruses. If discharged Lakes is already unusable in its raw form to aquatic environments greywater may and must be mixed with other more damage ecosystems, promote algal suitable water before use. blooms and pose a significant risk to When higher flows return to the river it is human health. Management options likely that it will carry with it salt that has provided in the Code include greywater built up in the system, increasing salinity retainment, treatment and changes in even further. However, once those loads behavioural management. have entered the system salinity should The EPA has also recently developed fall again provided flows continue down a catchment water quality model the Murray to help flush and dilute the for the South Australian portion of the saline water. Murray-Darling Basin. This will help inform The impact of high salinities on catchment management activities, ecological processes is likely to be particularly in the eastern Mt Lofty Ranges minimal in most regions of the river, tributaries. except the floodplain where the impact on floodplain woodlands and associated fauna will be significant. Macroinvertebrate communities in the Murray may alter if salinity exceeds 1000 µS/cm and significantly if salinity

82 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 River Murray

exceeds 5000 µS/cm (which is highly SA Water has established five salt unlikely for the main channel and much interception schemes to prevent saline of the Lower Lake system). groundwater incursion into the Murray, with an additional three proposed. These Seawater inputs through the barrages schemes have a significant impact on near Goolwa due to the Murray inflows to the River, a factor that needs to being below sea level may impact be taken into account when assessing the on ecosystems in this region. Salinity risks associated with their use. increases have the capacity to impact on fish and frog populations, as well as The Murray-Darling Basin Commission has aquatic vegetation that provides habitat. developed the Basin Salinity Management Strategy for all affected states to There is a need to consider what collectively manage the inflow of salt into conditions were like before European the river from irrigation return flows and settlement took effect. In the 1930s and groundwater. The management process in 1940s, for example, severe droughts South Australia includes the commissioning resulted in the river drying up as of salt interception schemes and control unconnected pools and would have of irrigation development through the included high salinity conditions. The salinity zoning policy that is explained in fauna and flora either came and went detail at www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/ with these changes or adapted to salinity/zoning.html. the conditions. More recently, the relationship between The recent impact of salinity on the Australian pelicans. Photo: Tim Lubcke environmental watering and salinity levels floodplain has been a severe decline in in the river have been modelled so that vegetation health, as River Red Gums any impacts can be better managed. have gone more than a decade without Active management of wetlands can fresh water and it has been more than affect salt levels in the river due to flushing 30 years since Black Box specimens on of salt from the floodplain into the River, higher elevations have been inundated. so planning is necessary to achieve The impact of salinity on irrigation maximum benefits. depends on the crop being irrigated, the method of irrigation, soil conditions and the level of salinity in the water. (c) Nutrient levels within the River Murray Significant impacts are predicted for system are to be managed so as to irrigators in the Lower Lakes region as prevent or reduce the occurrence salinity rises above the threshold for of algal blooms, and to minimise many crops grown in that region. In the other impacts from nutrients on the Riverland, the impact is expected to be ecological processes, environmental low, as salinity should remain below the values and productive capacity of threshold for fruit trees and vines. Lack the system. of water allocation is a more immediate Total nitrogen concentrations generally threat in this region. increase between Morgan and the Increases in salinity can make the water Murray mouth with the highest levels found unpalatable for drinking purposes. The in Lake Albert and at Poltollach Plains in areas of South Australia that are most Lake Alexandrina. Concentrations at these likely to be affected by higher salinity latter locations are generally considerably levels will be those using the River Murray higher than seen at Murray Bridge or as their sole water source without the Tailem Bend. However, the concentrations benefit of dilution by water from other of nitrates and nitrites are considerably catchments such as the Mt Lofty Ranges. higher at Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend This is significant as the salinity of Murray than any other site monitored in the river water cannot be lowered through and Lower Lakes. This nitrogen input is likely traditional treatment processes. to be due to the LMRIA, which comprises several thousand hectares of flood irrigated The impact of salinity rise on stock agriculture. watering should remain low in much of the River Murray system. However, The Commonwealth and South Australian salinity at the barrages and throughout Governments are funding a rehabilitation the Lower Lakes is above suitable levels program in the LMRIA. In conjunction with for stock and alternative water supplies local irrigators, the program aims to reduce are being sourced. This problem may irrigation water use and pollutant loads become more widespread in the Lower returning to the River Murray. It is predicted Lakes should salinity continue to rise that pollutant loads from the LMRIA will significantly. decrease as water efficiency improves

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and reuse systems are constructed to between Waikerie and Swan Reach, while intercept and recycle runoff from farms. the others were all in Lake Alexandrina Since 2003 concentrations of nitrates and and Lake Albert. nitrites have declined at Murray Bridge, but have increased at Tailem Bend. It is unclear whether the decline at Murray Bridge is (d) The impact of potential pollutants such due to improvements in water use and as sediments and pesticides, on the management in the LMRIA or a result of environments constituted by the River reduced flows down the river. Murray system is to be minimised. Algal blooms are driven by high nutrient A pesticide study was conducted in 2003 availability, increased light penetration, to determine the extent of contamination low water flow, warm weather and low in sediments of creeks and rivers in the wind that leads to stratification of the state. Sediments collected from 15 sites water column. Blue green algal blooms in the River Murray main channel and (cyanobacteria) can occasionally occur wetlands and a further seven sites in the in the River Murray system when conditions Lower Lakes, were tested for a total of 60 are suitable. Usually blue green algal pesticides. counts are low, however reduced flows Only one site tested positive for a single in the Murray has greatly increased the pesticide suggesting that all other sites risk of stratification of the water column monitored were pesticide free. That and therefore, the risk of algal blooms has one site was located in Lake Albert, also increased. Although nutrient levels where 0.6 µg/kg of DDE was recorded. have declined in some areas, they are still Murray Cod. Photo: Jason Higham DDE is a breakdown product of DDT, an adequate to sustain algal blooms should organochlorine pesticide that can no other conditions also be favourable. longer be used or sold in Australia. DDT SA Water monitors the Murray closely is a very persistent substance and takes and is prepared for large algal blooms a very long time to breakdown and it should they occur. Actions that would has also been found in other streams in be taken should a large bloom occur the state. include: increased monitoring around and upstream of the affected off-take; Chlorpyrifos was detected in the sediment the provision of algal monitoring data to of one of the tributaries, the Finniss River, other Government agencies; enhanced near Yundi at a concentration of 20 treatment of raw water in the treatment µg/kg. Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum plants including the use of carbon to organophosphate insecticide and used remove algal metabolites (e.g. taste and on a wide variety of crops. The release of odour compounds); and, in a worse-case EPA guidelines for responsible pesticide situation, the installation of temporary use and the availability of handbooks detailing safe and effective pesticide floating booms or geo-textile curtains usage by commercial spray operators, around treatment plant off-takes to lifestyle landholders and for near-water reduce the movement of algal cells into applications (EPA 2007a, b and c) will assist the plant. people to better manage pesticide usage The main problem with algal blooms is that and thereby minimise pollution risks. they can produce geosmin, altering the taste and odour of drinking water. Other Human dimension objectives problems include increasing the risk of (a) A responsive and adaptable approach fouling irrigation systems, increased risk of to the management of the River Murray toxicity from moderate to large blooms system is to be implemented taking for unfiltered drinking water consumers, into account ecological outcomes, livestock, recreational swimmers, fish community interests and new and various aquatic animals. Algal information that may become available containment booms have been installed from time to time. at some offtakes to reduce the risk to The River Murray is managed broadly users. through the Murray-Darling Basin Since the 2003 State of the Environment Commission and Ministerial Council as Report there have been 10 potentially part of the Murray-Darling Basin. The South toxic blue-green algal blooms in the River Australian Government and the SAMDB Murray. Blooms are only reported for the NRM Board form part of that management main channel and Lower Lakes and algal structure, as does the growth is considered to be a bloom when South East NRM Board for some parts of the measurements exceed 15,000 to 20,000 system. cells/mL. Five of these blooms occurred

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To ensure effective community based (c) The interests of the community are to management of the River Murray and be taken into account by recognising natural resource issues in this state, the indigenous and other cultural, and SAMDB NRM Board was created in historical, relationships with the River 2005 through an amalgamation of a Murray and its surrounding areas, and catchment management board, an by ensuring appropriate participa- animal and plant control board and a soil tion in processes associated with the conservation board. management of the River Murray NRM Boards were formed across all regions In 2003 a Memorandum of Understanding of South Australia at that time. As required was signed between the Aboriginal people under the NRM Act, these Boards develop who make up the Murray-Darling Rivers regional Natural Resource Management Indigenous Nations and the Murray-Darling and Water Allocation Plans. They contain Basin Commission, for joint agreement smaller community groups to identify and regarding management of the natural manage issues as they arise within each resources of the basin. Indigenous region. The boards are actively involved participation in the management of in a wide and diverse range of programs the icon sites identified through the and provide funding for on-ground works Living Murray Initiative is enabled and as identified by the community. encouraged through the appointment of Indigenous facilitators at these sites. These Local Indigenous Facilitators are (b) The community’s knowledge and employed to work with their communities understanding of the River Murray to produce use and occupancy maps for system is to be gathered, considered each icon site. These maps identify and and disseminated in order to maximise record the spiritual, cultural, environmental, environmental flows and the ability social and economic interests of Indigenous to provide appropriate levels of people for each icon site. The maps can water for environmental reasons, and also be used to direct cultural heritage to promote the health and proper protection and management, and help management of the system. monitor the impacts of The Living Murray. The SAMDB NRM Board is working with

the community to determine priorities for environmental outcomes for the riverine (d) The importance of a healthy river to environment. The board is community the economic, social and cultural based and advises the Minister for the prosperity of communities along the River Murray, as does the River Murray length of the river, and the community Advisory Committee. more generally, is to be recognised. The Murray-Darling Basin Commission The enactment of the River Murray undertakes widespread and ongoing Act 2003 demonstrated the South consultation for The Living Murray initiative Australian Government’s commitment through workshop events, community to a healthy working river and there is Change in water level for Purple Spotted committees for the development of a widespread understanding within the Gudgeon habitat. Photos: Jason Higham environmental management plans and Murray-Darling Basin community of the the Community Reference Group (CRG). importance of a healthy River Murray. This is communicated regularly through The CRG was established to provide newsletters and fact sheets, education advice to the Murray-Darling Basin materials for schools, youth forums Community Advisory Committee and community information sessions on all aspects of The Living Murray’s that introduce and discuss key policy implementation. Made up of 30 initiatives. members, it includes representatives of the Indigenous community, the irrigation During 2006, there were significant sector, environmental groups, industry, remembrances of the 1956 flood in South local government and the business Australia. A comprehensive display of community. The Community Advisory photographs and stories was compiled Committee considers CRG advice and and exhibited at many locations communicates it to The Living Murray along the river for the communities to Committee, the Commission and the remember and learn about this event Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council. and the role of local communities in The status of native fish at the Coorong, managing its effects. and the communication of environmental watering of Red Gums, have been some of the topics covered by this group.

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2008 85 INLAND WATERS

What more should we be doing?

The Environment Protection Authority recommends the following: R2.5 Pursue environmental water sharing provisions in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan that include allocation of flood flows to South Australia sufficient to generate appropriate watering regimes for key wetlands.

Alignment of Recommendations with South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets

R2.10 Growing Prosperity T1.1, T1.14, T1.15 T1.22 Improving Wellbeing Attaining Sustainability T3.1, T3.9, T3.10, T3.11

Fostering Creativity and Innovation Building Communities T5.9 Expanding Opportunities

For further detail on South Australia’s Strategic Plan visit www.stateplan.sa.gov.au

Safe and effective pesticide use: A References handbook for near-water applications. (2007c) Environment Protection Authority, Australian and New Zealand Guidelines South Australia. for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. River Murray and Lower Lakes: Volume 1. 2000. Australian and New catchment risk assessment for water Zealand Environment and Conservation quality. (2007d). Environment Protection Council (ANZECC). Canberra. Authority, South Australia. Bice, C. M. and Ye, Q. Monitoring EPA Guidelines for responsible pesticide threatened fish communities on use. (2005) Environment Protection Hindmarsh Island, in the Lower Lakes of Authority, South Australia. the River Murray, South Australia, in the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) summers of 2006 and 2007 with reference (2003). Environment Protection (Water to baseline data from 2005. (2007). Quality) Policy. (2003). Environment Primary Industries and Resources South Protection Authority, South Australian Australia, SARDI Aquatic Sciences, South Government. Australian Government, Adelaide. Jones, G., Hillman, T., Kingsford, T., 2003 review of the status of threatened Walker, K., Arthington, A., Whittington, species in South Australia. Proposed J., Cartwright, S. Independent Report Schedules under the South Australian of the Expert Reference Panel on National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Environmental Flows and Water Quality Discussion Paper. (2003). National Parks Requirements for the River Murray and Wildlife Council in partnership with the System, (2002). Cooperative Research Department for Environment and Heritage, Centre for Freshwater Ecology, South Australian Government, Adelaide. Canberra. Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Gilligan, D., Rolls, R., Merrick, J., Area. Environmental Monitoring Report: Lintermans, M., Duncan, P. and Kohen Phase 1. (2008) Environment Protection J. Scoping the knowledge requirements Authority, South Australia. for Murray crayfish(Euastacus armatus). Safe and effective pesticide use: A (2007) Department of Primary Industries, handbook for commercial spray operators. Government of New South Wales, (2007a). Environment Protection Authority, Sydney. South Australia. Leigh, S. and Zampatti, B. A preliminary Safe and effective pesticide use: A prioritization of barriers to fish passage handbook for lifestyle landholders. within anabranch and off-channel (2007b) Environment Protection Authority, habitats along the River Murray in South South Australia. Australia, (July 2005). Prepared for the

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SARDI Aquatic Sciences Publication No. RD04/0234-2. SARDI Research Report Further information Series no. 89. Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, South River Murray Urban Users Committee Australian Government, Adelaide. www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au National Health and Medical The Murray-Darling Basin Commission Research Council (NHMRC). 2004. www.mdbc.gov.au Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. The Living Murray initiative www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au R2.10 Phillips, B., Muller, K., Butcher, R., Hales, South Australian Murray-Darling Natural Growing Prosperity T1.1, T1.14, T1.15 J., Walker, D., Young, R. Ecological Character of the Coorong, Lakes Resource Management Board T1.22 Alexandrina and Albert Wetland of www.samdbnrm.sa.gov.au Improving Wellbeing International Importance, (2005). Attaining Sustainability T3.1, T3.9, T3.10, T3.11 Department of Water, Land and Department for Environment and Biodiversity Conservation – River Murray Heritage, South Australian Government, homepage Fostering Creativity Adelaide. and Innovation www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/index.html Building Communities T5.9 Smith, B., Vilizzi, L. and Conallin, A. National Water Quality Management Monoman Island (Chowilla floodplain) before Expanding Opportunities Analyses of the combined ‘fish’ dataset Strategy watering May 2004. Photo: Jane Roots from the 2004-2007 annual South www.environment.gov.au/water/quality/ Australian River Murray wetlands baseline nwqms surveys. (2007a). SARDI Aquatic Sciences, Primary Industries and Resources, South Environment Protection Authority - Australian Government, Adelaide. water quality www.epa.sa.gov.au/nrm_map_mdb.html Smith, B., Conallin, A., Fleer, D., Hillyard, K and Ellis, E. River Murray wetlands SA Water River Murray homepage baseline surveys of fish, water quality www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/ and acidification risk to inform drought Environment/TheRiverMurray planning. (2007b). SARDI Aquatic SA Drought Link Sciences, Primary Industries and www.service.sa.gov.au/ContentPages/ Resources South Australian Government, sagovt/Drought.aspx Adelaide. Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse, (2002), River Murray Catchment Water Management Board, South Australia. Working Paper. (August 2007) Water Security Taskforce. Wood, V., Edmonds V. and Westel C. Tjowila (Chowilla) Floodplain: Basline Indigenous Cultural Heritage Study: Volume 1. (2005). Adelaide Monoman Island (Chowilla floodplain) after watering May 2005. Photo: Jane Roots Guidelines for safe recreational water environments. Volume 1, Coastal and Fresh Waters. (2003). World Health Organization, Switzerland. Ye, Q and Zampatti, B. Murray cod stock status: the Lower River Murray, South Australia. (2007). Stock Status Report to PIRSA Fisheries. SARDI Aquatic Sciences, Primary Industries and Resources, South Australian Government, SARDI Aquatic Sciences Adelaide. Zampatti, B., Baumgartner, L., Stuart, I. and Barrett, J. The Lake Hume to the Sea Program – Restoring fish passage in a large lowland river. (May 2005) 4th Australian Technical Workshop on Fishways, Kununurra, Western Australia.

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