World Water Day 2022

Sustainable water use is a balancing act, requiring careful management between ensuring ample water to sustain wetlands, while providing enough to efficiently support agricultural, industry, social and cultural needs.

To celebrate World Water Day (22 March), we are highlighting projects across the state which show how water can be used more sustainably in our landscape; and sharing tips for how you can do your bit.

Projects that show how we keep getting better at managing our water

Landscape boards are getting behind some seriously innovative projects that are adding to our water management know-how. Several of the projects highlighted below showcase collaboration to explore ways to use water more sustainably, at a time when trends across the state indicate declining water quality and availability.

Here are some great projects across the state kicking goals for sustainable water use.

1. Infrastructure works to recharge water levels in the Limestone Coast

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is working with its partners on infrastructure works to recharge water levels at the Hutt Bay wetland. The recharge farm is located strategically to rejuvenate the internationally significant wetlands of Hutt Bay in the MacDonnell management area, which is currently at high risk due to the potential for groundwater declines.

The initiative is part of a Regional Recharge Farms project, and is an innovative new approach to protect ecological values while tackling the complex challenge of water security in a changing climate. Read more about Regional Recharge Farms here.

2. Underground stormwater redirected above-ground to irrigate suburban Adelaide reserves

This project makes underground stormwater available to irrigate vegetation at two suburban reserves south of Adelaide. This means plants and trees grow better and faster providing better amenity, canopy cover and cooling benefits for adjacent residents and people visiting the reserve. Read more about projects using stormwater to green Adelaide.

The Pasadena Biodiversity Corridor will bring underground stormwater flows above ground through vegetated swales with pool and riffle elements, basins and soakage trenches.

3. Adelaide Hills grape growers embrace soil moisture and temperature monitoring

Grape growers in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region are excited about the benefits of soil-moisture and temperature monitoring technology. Promotion of the technology across the sector is encouraging growers to think outside-the-box and find new ways to manage their water use sustainably. Watch a video about the project here.

4. Rural school on EP find solutions to poor water quality

Students on the Eyre Peninsula growing native plants in their school nursery for their local Coastcare group have been struggling with the effects of increasingly saline groundwater. Installing a tank, pump and new irrigation has improved water efficiency and quality, and expanded the growing capability of their onsite nursery. Lake Wangary School has been working with the Lower Eyre Coastcare group for over a decade to undertake revegetation work. Read more about this project here.

Access to quality rainwater will see the partnership between Lake Wangary School and Lower Eyre Coastcare continue well into the future.

5. Working with Traditional Owners to ensure water resources retain cultural values

Many water features are highly significant for Aboriginal groups. Important work continues with Traditional Owners in the north of the state to protect rockholes from damage by large herbivores, and ensure that permanent or ephemeral water features retain Aboriginal laws, protocols and understanding related to their use when planning water allocations. Read more about water sources in the Alinytjara Wilurara region and their Aboriginal connection.

6. Demonstrating the benefits of water security on Kangaroo Island

Demonstration sites are being established on Kangaroo Island to promote innovative methods to improve water security. To assist with long term planning landholders are able to have customised Water Security Plans developed for their properties using high resolution elevation data, updated surface water models and climate change projections. These plans will provide detailed information on how water flows at a property scale, catchment areas for farm dams and information on how predicted climate change is likely to impact the reliability of farm dams and the health of watercourses. Read more here.

7. Riparian restoration for water quality in the Northern and Yorke region

Private landholders are working with their local landscape board along a 5km stretch of the Wakefield River near Manoora, to improve water quality and protect the watercourse from erosion and weed invasion. Methods used in the substantial riparian-zone restoration include stock fencing, weed control and planting. Read more about how a healthy riparian zone maximises ecosystem health.

8. Saving water outback in the Great Artesian Basin

Water is scarce in the Outback and the Great Artesian Basin is the main source to sustain pastoral businesses, communities and industry. Pastoralists are leading the way with reducing water use on the finite resource, saving more than 1240ML of water a year by improving water infrastructure. Find out more about the work they are doing.

Water Resource Management in the Limestone Coast

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is leading the way in water sustainability in the region with its ‘Making Every Drop Count’ focus. This strategic approach addresses the challenges of water security in a changing climate to protect our water resources and the ecosystems and industry that depend on them for future generations.

In leading the planning and management for sustainable water resource management, the Limestone Coast Landscape Board balances the needs of the environment, industry, social and culture for this precious resource.

Check our more information on how the Limestone Coast Landscape Board approach water security and sustainability in our region HERE.