National Water Account 2017

Adelaide: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2016–30 June 2017

  • Well above-average annual rainfall during the 2016–17 year led to an increase in runoff and aquifer recharge across the region.
  • Aquifer storage increased for the first time in 4 years; surface water storage increased by 4% from last year to 56% full.
  • The increase in the region's surface water availability meant inter-region transfer from the River Murray to meet urban demand was the lowest in over six years.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

785 mm

well above the long-term average

Streamflow

Streamflow icon arrowpointingup

above average

more than last year

Storage

Storage icon

56% full

arrowpointingup

4% more than last year   

Water use

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sourced

surface water

67%

inter-region

10%

groundwater

21%

desalination

2%

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water supplied

199,610 ML

urban system

74%

irrigation

3%

individual users

23%

Water status

Allocations

254,609 ML

total surface water, groundwater and desalination allocations.

Water assets

175,442 ML

closing net water assets at 30 June 2017

4,749 ML less than last year

Outlook

155,000 ML

expected water assets at 30 June 2018

decrease from this year