Water accounting
What is the water accounting project?
The accounting for groundwater take project aims to identify and field trial water accounting solutions that meet the requirements associated with managing a prescribed wells area in a way that does not significantly impact a pastoral business; ideally adding value to the businesses.
The project is initially being established for 18 months to investigate and trial metering, measuring and accounting options that maybe suitable for the Far North and can be used to support development of the water accounting implementation plan.
Trials will be undertaken to evaluate proposed accounting methods against key criteria of reliability, practicality, cost and accuracy.
Emphasis is being placed on methods that provide significant benefit for land management such as improved understanding of stock water requirements and water point management and security.
Why do we need an accounting project?
The accounting for groundwater take in the Far North Prescribed Wells Area project has been developed in response to community concern, raised during consultation on the Water Allocation Plan, about the potential impact of water metering on pastoral businesses in the Far North.
The South Australian Licenced Water Use Metering Policy, requires licensed water to be taken through a meter approved by the Minister or in such a way that the Minister is satisfied that the taking of water is consistent with the relevant meter implementation plan. Alternatives to water metering can be considered and documented within a meter implementation plan; for the Far North this plan is referred to as the Water Accounting Implementation Plan.
Advisory Group
An advisory group has been established to support the project through the provision of advice regarding identification of water accounting projects, contributing to project assessment and assisting in overseeing the conduct of trials. The advisory group consists of pastoral industry members with an interest or experience in groundwater management and managing water for cattle and sheep enterprises and representatives from the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board and the Department for Environment and Water. Read more about the group.
Expression of Interest
Expressions of interest (EOI) are now open for people interested in participating in the project and conducting a trial to investigate a potential water accounting method. Applicants can chose to conduct a trial from the EOI project list and/or put forward their own water accounting ideas.
The EOI is in two stages, an initial expression of interest at stage 1 and at stage 2, a project development and application stage for applicants invited from Stage 1.
Stage 1 has closed, successful applicants for Stage 2 have been advised.
Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further or have any questions about the project or applying, please contact Aaron Smith at aaron.smith3@sa.gov.au, phone 0417 643 956 or Melissa Horgan at melissa.horgan@sa.gov.au, phone 0409 896 402.