Adelaide: Future outlook
This section looks forward 12 months and considers what water assets, claims and commitments might affect the region's water resources
Future prospects
Table N33 shows that there is a surplus of 133,242 ML of available water over water liabilities and future water commitments that are expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date.
| Volume ML | |
| total water assets as at 30 June 2015 | 183,143 |
| less water assets not available to be accessed, taken, or delivered: | |
| dead storage | (1,475) |
| conveyance water | (726) |
| less total water liabilities as at 30 June 2015 | (7,935) |
| Subtotal | 173,007 |
| less future commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date | |
| expected diversion of surface water | (81,140) |
| expected extraction of groundwater | (51,460) |
| Surplus/deficit of available water assets over water liabilities and future commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date | 40,407 |
| add expected inflows within 12 months of the reporting date | |
| transfer into surface water store of River Murray water | 63,827 |
| transfer into irrigation schemes of River Murray water | 7,283 |
| desalinated water | 22,725 |
| Surplus/deficit of available water assets and expected future inflows over water liabilities and future commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date | 134,242 |
The volumes reported for future water rights and future water commitments are indicative only and based on 2014–15 data. The actual volume of water delivered under these future water rights and future water commitments will depend on climatic conditions and demand.
Therefore it is difficult to determine if the future prospects detailed in Table N33 underestimate or overestimate expected diversions and extractions in an average rainfall year.
It should be noted that Table N33 does not include a number of water inflows for 2014–15 due to lack of appropriate data and a suitable quantification approach. Future direct rainfall on the watercourses and storages, runoff, and groundwater recharge within the Adelaide region that could not be estimated for the 2014–15 year will contribute to meeting the region's water demands. In addition, transfers of water from the River Murray and the Adelaide Desalination Plant may also be increased in case of need.
Contingent water assets and contingent water liabilities
Contingent water assets
The non-extractable portion of groundwater in the Adelaide region
The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board develops water allocation plans for the prescribed water resources within the Adelaide region. A water allocation plan describes the capacity of the groundwater resources to meet demand. The non-extractable portion of the groundwater asset is a contingent water asset because it is possible that a change in circumstances, such as legislative or regulatory changes that alter the extraction limits, would result in further portions of the groundwater becoming available for extraction. There is no estimate available of the total volume stored in the aquifers of the region.