Adelaide: Key findings

For the water account period 01 July 2021 – 30 June 2022

  • Total annual rainfall for the 2021-22 year was slightly above average for the first time since 2016-17.
  • End-of-year storage volumes increased by 2 percentage points during the 2021-22 year, finishing at 50% full by 30 June 2022, the highest end-of-year storage volume since 2016-17.
  • Water taken for consumptive use was 209 GL, slightly less than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

638 mm

above the average of 629 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below-average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

50% full

arrowpointingup

2% more than last year

Water use from all sources

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Adelaide region. A total of 225GL of water was used in the region in 2021–22. Inter-region deliveries made up 44% of total water sourced. Surface water made up 34%, groundwater 19%, and desalinated water 2% of water sourced.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Adelaide region. A total of 225 GL of water was supplied to users in 2021–22. 74% of total water supply was for the urban system. 21% was for individual users and 5% for irrigation.

* Includes non-allocated water use

Water status of water resources

Water availability

298 GL

surface water available in 2021–22

arrowpointingup

33% more than last year

Water accessible

321 GL

total surface water and groundwater accessible in 2021–22

slightly less than last year

Water taken

209 GL

total surface water and groundwater taken in 2021–22

slightly less than last year