Water markets

  • About 96% of the region's water allocations were for the urban system, primarily for residential use.
  • Total water use was similar across all four reporting years, reflecting broadly similar surface water availability conditions in the region over this period.
  • Water trading volumes were very small compared to allocation volumes in the region over the account period.

 

For further information on water rights and water use within the Canberra region during the year scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

Water rights, entitlements, allocations and restrictions

 

Surface water rights

Surface water allocations and diversions in the Canberra region for the years ending 30 June, from 20XX–20XX
Figure M1 Surface water allocations and diversions in the Canberra region for the years ending 30 June, from 2012–2017

 

  • Surface water allocations for individual users and the urban system were the same for the 2013–17 period.
  • Diversions to individual users and the urban water system were similar over the 2013–17 period, reflecting the similar surface water availability conditions in the region for these years. 

 



Figure M2 Surface water allocation to individual users for each licence purpose for the 2016–17 year

 

  • 3% of the surface water allocated is for individual users. These licences primarily relate to water diversions for domestic consumption and commercial activities under the ‘unregulated river’ entitlement class.

 

Groundwater rights

Figure M3 Groundwater access entitlements, allocations and extractions in the Canberra region for the years ending 30 June, from 2012–2017

Figure M3 Groundwater access entitlements, allocations and extractions in the Canberra region for the years ending 30 June, from 2012–2017

 

  • Groundwater allocations for individual users remained the same as previous years.
  • Actual extractions for individual users were similar to last year, which reflects the similar water availability conditions in the region to last year.

 

Figure M4 Groundwater allocation to individual users for each licence purpose for the 2016–17 year
Figure M4 Groundwater allocation to individual users for each licence purpose for the 2016–17 year

 

  • 100% of the total groundwater allocated was for individual users. These licences primarily relate to water extractions for irrigation purposes under the ‘aquifer’ entitlement class.

 

Combined surface water and groundwater rights

  • In the Canberra region, there are provisions to abstract water from either surface water or groundwater resources as specified in the entitlement category 'combined surface water and groundwater rights'.
  • The combined surface water and groundwater entitlement volume was 2,412 ML.

 

Water restrictions

  • Icon Water introduced 'Permanent Water Conservation Measures' for potable water use in November 2010 that are mandatory and enforceable. Non-potable sources are not restricted. These rules govern how water can be used on gardens and lawns, during pool filling, car washing, and cleaning.
  • For more information, refer to the Bureau of Meteorology's Water Restrictions website. 

 

Water market activity

Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra. Photograph: © Perry Wiles

 

  • Surface water and groundwater entitlement trades reported in the Canberra region during the 2016–17 year were 0 ML and 9 ML respectively.