Adelaide
22.1 Groundwater allocation announcements

During the 2011–12 year the volume of groundwater available for extraction increased by 43,923 ML. As detailed in the following table, this volume included native groundwater allocations and recharged water credits that were available to be extracted during 2011–12 (see line item 6.1 Groundwater allocation remaining for a definition of native groundwater and recharged groundwater).

¹ The totals in the following breakdown tables are slightly different than the totals given for the overall allocation announcements per groundwater resource areas due to rounding of values.

² The actual value of the recharged water credit was 0.095 ML.

Native groundwater allocations are renewed each reporting period where the full allocation volume detailed by the user's licence is available for the user to extract.

Recharged water credits are allocated based on the volume injected as part of managed aquifer recharge (MAR). A portion of the volume of water injected in the prior recharge period is allocated for reuse and is called a recharged water credit. The recharged water credit volume may also depend on the quality of the water discharged. In the Northern Adelaide Plains PWA the previous recharge period was July 1 2010 – June 30 2011. In the McLaren Vale PWA the previous recharge period was October 1 2010 to April 30 2011.

More information about native groundwater allocations and recharged water credits can be found in the Water allocations section of the 'Contextual information'. 

All the groundwater allocations announced in the 2011–12 year were volumetric.

The purposes of the native groundwater allocation announcements are given in the following tables for each groundwater resource area.

¹ Recreational purpose is considered to be irrigation of public open spaces, such as maintenance of public parks and gardens, playing fields and school ovals.

The volume of groundwater allocated in the Barossa PWRA for irrigation is 7,414 ML (irrigation and recreational purposes) or 95% of the total groundwater allocated in that area.

 ¹ Not specified purpose is assumed to be irrigation purpose.

The volume of groundwater allocated for irrigation in the McLaren Vale PWA is 6,498 ML (irrigation and not specified purposes) which represents most of the groundwater allocated in that area.

¹ Recreational purpose is considered to be irrigation of public open spaces, such as maintenance of public parks and gardens, playing fields and school ovals.

The volume of groundwater allocated for irrigation in the Northern Adelaide Plains PWA is 24,655 ML (irrigation and recreational purposes) or 90% of the total groundwater allocated in that area.

The purpose of all allocations announced in Dry Creek PWA in the 2011–12 year was industrial (salt production).

South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR): Water Information and Licence Management Administration (WILMA) database; and a database detailing managed aquifer recharge (MAR) credit calculations.

DEWNR.

Groundwater allocations for the 2011–12 year were obtained from the WILMA database for the following water management areas in the Adelaide region:

• Barossa PWRA
• McLaren Vale PWA
  
• Northern Adelaide Plains PWA
• Dry Creek PWA.

The Department for Water database detailing MAR credit calculations was used by DEWNR to differentiate new recharged water credits from previously applied but not used or not expired recharged water credits carried over to 2011–12 (the latter is reported under line item 6.1 'Groundwater allocation remaining'). New recharged water credits relate to practices completed only in the previous recharge period.

The licence purpose information for the various groundwater resource areas reflects the purpose of the licence when issued or possibly when adjusted.