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Adelaide: Supporting information

For the water account period 01 July 2022 – 30 June 2023

  • Total annual rainfall was above average for the second consecutive year, with the region experiencing its twelfth-wettest year on record, increasing runoff and groundwater recharge across the region.
  • End-of-year storage volume increased by nineteen percentage points, finishing at 69% full by 30 June 2023 - the highest end-of-year storage volume for the region on record.
  • Approximately, 21% of surface water allocations and 40% of groundwater allocations were taken in 2022-23.

Schematic representation of the Adelaide region. In 2022–23, runoff was 32% more than average. Storage volumes on 30 June 2023 were 69% full, slightly higher than the previous year. Around 93% of the total surface water accessible (170 GL) was taken, while roughly 28% of the total groundwater accessible (158 GL) was taken.

For further information on the region's water accounting statements scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

Water assets

Kangaroo Creek Reservoir, Adelaide region (Bureau of Meteorology © SA Office)

 

  • Total water asset volumes in the region on 30 June 2023 were 229 GL, around 60% of which was water held in surface water storages.
  • Around 38% of the water assets are held in aquifers, while the remaining volume of water assets is held in rivers.

 

Table S1 Accessible storage volume in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface water 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Barossa 4,096 4,041 4,062 3,818 3,962 3,602
Happy Valley 6,900 8,347 6,912 6,101 7,086 6,854
Hope Valley 902 1,279 1,362 1,155 1,083 757
Kangaroo Creek 12,312 4,907 4,067 6,127 3,682 313
Little Para 13,778 6,200 5,557 9,723 7,977 7,378
Millbrook 9,093 8,850 7,292 7,763 7,326 7,765
Mount Bold 27,865 11,253 12,403 12,296 13,852 7,133
Myponga 24,121 23,494 22,970 22,037 19,816 21,625
South Para 31,697 20,252 19,040 16,541 15,534 27,776
Warren 752 4,786 4,776 4,844 4,806 2,760
Accessible total 131,516 93,409 88,441 90,405 85,124 85,963
Dead storage 6,234 6,234 6,234 6,234 6,234 6,234
Total storage 137,750 99,643 94,675 96,639 91,358 92,197
Total capacity 198,729 198,729 198,729 198,729 198,729 198,729
% full 69.3% 50.1% 47.6% 48.6% 46.0% 46.4%

 

  • Storage volume increased significantly from 50.1% full on 30 June 2022 to 69.3% full on 30 June 2023 - an increase of 19.2%.
  • This is the highest end-of-year storage volume for the region on record, surpassing the previous record of 68.8% at the end of the 2010-11 reporting year.

 

Map of Adelaide region showing the status of each storage on 30 June 2022. The storages are colour coded into ten categories of volume as a proportion of capacity. Myponga, Happy Valley, Hope Valley, Barossa, and Warren storages were over 80% full. Mount Bold, South Para, Kangaroo Creek, Millbrook, and Little Para storages were less than 50% full. An inset line graph shows the time series of percentage-full storage volume between 1 July 2013–30 June 2022. Adelaide storages on 30 June 2022 were 50.1% full, slightly more than last year.
Figure S1 Percentage-full volume on 30 June 2023 for each storage and total storage volume from 2009–2023 (inset)

  • Storages steadily rose throughout the first half of the 2022-23 year, following the region's second-wettest spring on record, including the region's wettest November on record, resulting in storages peaking at 94% full during late-November 2022.
  • Following average to below-average rainfall from December 2022 to May 2023, storages gradually declined, dropping to 55% full by the start of June 2023.
  • By 30 June 2023, following above-average rainfall throughout June, end-of-year storages were just below 70% full.
  • More detailed information on the individual storages within the region is available on the Bureau of Meteorology's Water Storage website.

 

Water liabilities

Sturt Mitigation Dam, Adelaide region (Bureau of Meteorology © SA Office)

 

  • Water liabilities in the Adelaide region refer to the volume of allocation remaining on licence entitlements at the end of the 2022-23 year.

 

Table S2 Opening and closing balance of surface water allocations for individual users in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods
Description 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Opening balance at 01 July 348 332 622 307 430 545
add Allocation 13,840 13,746 14,768 14,768 13,168 15,283
less Allocated diversion 2,973 2,967 3,360 3,012 3,730 3,340
less Adjustment and forfeiture 11,000 10,763 11,698 11,441 9,561 12,058
Closing balance at 30 June 215 348 332 622 307 430

 

Table S3 Opening and closing balance of groundwater allocations for individual users in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods
Description 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Opening balance at 01 July 47,434 35,445 36,946 36,058 4,574 18,685
add Allocation 110,600 109,110 109,110 109,114 97,918 95,595
less Allocated extraction 44,115 43,539 44,766 45,392 34,368 53,793
less Adjustment and forfeiture 54,000 53,582 65,845 62,834 32,066 55,913
Closing balance at 30 June 59,919 47,434 35,445 36,946 36,058 4,574

 

  • The surface water licences in the Adelaide region have a management year that ends on 30 June.
  • Allocation remaining for groundwater supply in the region at the end of the year was 60 GL.
  • The Barossa Prescribed Water Resources Area licensees for the North Para River and tributaries may carry over the unused portion of their allocation.
  • A more detailed description of water allocations in the Adelaide region is given in the Water use section below.

 

Water flows

Onkaparinga River mouth, Adelaide region (istock © anonymous)

 

  • Total water inflows into the Adelaide region was 1,290 GL, 14% more than last year.
  • Surface water inflows contributed 536 GL (42%) of total water inflows, with runoff accounting for 55% of the total surface water inflows.
  • Groundwater inflows contributed 454 GL (35%) of total water inflows, with recharge from landscape accounting for 75% of the total groundwater inflows.
  • Urban water inflows contributed 271 GL (21%) of total water inflows, with diversion of surface water accounting for 57% of the total urban water inflows.
  • Irrigation scheme inflows contributed 30 GL (2%) of total water inflows, with recycled water received from urban water system accounting for 60% of the total irrigation scheme inflows.
  • Total water outflows from the Adelaide region was 1,203 GL, 3% more than last year.
  • Surface water outflows contributed 802 GL (67%) of total water outflows, with outflow to sea accounting for 45% of the total surface water outflows.
  • Groundwater outflows contributed 120 GL (10%) of total water outflows, with discharge to surface water accounting for 61% of the total groundwater outflows.
  • Urban water outflows contributed 247 GL (21%) of total water outflows, with supply of drinking water to residential customers accounting for 42% of the total urban water outflows.
  • Irrigation scheme outflows contributed 34 GL (3%) of total water outflows, with irrigation delivery accounting for 100% of the total irrigation scheme outflows.
  • A more detailed breakdown of inflows and outflows is given in the Statement of Changes in Water Assets and Water Liabilities for the Adelaide region.

 

Water availability

 

Table S4 Annual surface water available in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface water 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Water availability 408,765 300,591 224,405 239,712 205,125 325,894
Water accessible 169,694 176,043 178,397 143,003 181,098 173,137
Water taken 158,479 164,932 166,367 130,940 171,230 160,649
% water accessible taken 93% 94% 93% 92% 95% 93%

 

  • Physical surface water availability is calculated as the sum of storage volumes at the start of the year (see Water assets) and estimated inflows into storages and rivers during the year.
  • Surface water availability in the Adelaide region in 2022-23 was above average for the fourth consecutive year, and the highest since 2016-17.
  • Surface water accessible is calculated as the sum of surface water allocations and other statutory rights, plus carryover at the start of the year.
  • Water taken during the year is influenced by the physical water available. Typically, water taken from surface water resources is lower than water availability and water accessible.
  • Despite physical surface water availability being higher compared to the previous few years, water taken from surface water resources was slightly lower than last year. This was likely influenced by improved rainfall and wetter catchment conditions which meant there was less demand for consumptive use during the year.

 

Water use

City of Adelaide, Torrens River, South Australia (CSIRO © Willem van Aken)

 

Consumptive use

 

Table S5 Surface water taken for consumptive use in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface Water 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Barossa Valley PWRA 1,921 1,919 2,221 1,905 1,567 1,496
Individual users 1,921 1,919 2,221 1,905 1,567 1,496
Urban system - - - - - -
Western Mount Lofty Ranges PWRA 55,672 58,048 59,087 56,974 63,930 159,151
Individual users 1,050 1,046 1,137 1,105 2,161 1,842
Urban systems 54,622 57,002 57,950 55,869 61,769 157,309
Others 100,886 104,965 105,059 72,061 105,733 2
Individual users 2 2 2 2 2 2
Urban system 100,884 104,963 105,057 72,059 105,731 -
Total 158,479 164,932 166,367 130,940 171,230 160,649

 

Table S6 Groundwater taken for consumptive use in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Groundwater 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Barossa Valley PWRA
Individual users 4,950 4,886 6,179 5,975 4,440 4,197
Western Mount Lofty Ranges PWRA
Individual users 20,205 19,997 20,698 20,746 16,823 30,316
McClaren Vale PWA
Individual users 5,010 4,902 5,054 5,494 8 4,660
Northern Adelaide Plains PWA
Individual users 13,950 13,754 12,835 13,177 13,097 14,620
Others
Irrigation scheme 230 229 207 279 200 200
Total 44,345 43,768 44,973 45,671 34,568 53,993

 

  • Water taken from surface water and groundwater resources for consumptive use was 202,824 ML, 3% less than last year.
  • Total surface water diverted in the region was 158,479 ML, 4% less than last year.
  • Around 98% of the total surface water diversion were for urban supply (comprising allocated and non-allocated diversions) while the remaining 2% of surface water taken was for individual users.
  • The non-allocated water diversion to the urban system comprises water that was imported from the River Murray and stored within the region's storages. Most of these diversions were from the Happy Valley and Hope Valley reservoirs, located outside of the region's prescribed water resource areas.
  • Total groundwater extracted in the region was 44,345 ML, slightly more than last year.
  • More than 99% of the groundwater extraction was for individual users, while less than 1% was for the irrigation scheme.

 

Allocations and diversions

 

Table S7 Surface water allocations and diversions for individual users in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface water 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Barossa Valley PWRA
Allocated announcements 2,700 2,664 2,870 2,870 2,870 2,870
Allocated diversions 1,921 1,919 2,221 1,905 1,567 1,496
% used 71% 72% 77% 66% 55% 52%
Western Mount Lofty Ranges PWRA
Allocated announcements 10,500 10,444 11,260 11,260 9,660 11,775
Allocated diversions 1,050 1,046 1,137 1,105 2,161 1,842
% used 10% 10% 10% 10% 22% 16%
Little Para
Allocated announcements 640 638 638 638 638 638
Allocated diversions 2 2 2 2 2 2
% used <1% <1% <1% <1% <1% <1%
Total
Allocated announcements 13,840 13,746 14,768 14,768 13,168 15,283
Allocated diversions 2,973 2,967 3,360 3,012 3,730 3,340
% used 21% 22% 23% 20% 28% 22%

 

  • Total surface water allocated in the region during 2022-23 was 13,840 ML, all for individual users.
  • Around 21% of the allocated surface water was taken, which was similar to last year, but less compared to the previous few years.
  • The lower surface water supply over the last two years was influenced by SA Water opting to reduce pressure on its surface water resources and increase its reliance on non-allocated diversions to the urban system, as well as desalinated water supply (see Urban system supply below).

 

Table S8 Groundwater allocations and extractions for individual users in the Adelaide region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Groundwater 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Barossa Valley PWRA
Allocated announcements 7,800 7,863 7,863 7,863 7,862 7,858
Allocated extractions 4,950 4,886 6,176 5,975 4,440 4,197
% used 63% 62% 79% 76% 56% 53%
Western Mount Lofty Ranges PWRA
Allocated announcements 56,400 55,590 55,590 55,581 55,582 53,130
Allocated extraction 20,205 19,997 20,698 20,746 16,823 30,316
% used 36% 36% 37% 37% 30% 57%
McClaren Vale PWA
Allocated announcements 6,500 6,508 6,508 6,508 6,507 6,507
Allocated extractions 5,010 4,902 5,054 5,494 8 4,660
% used 77% 75% 78% 84% 0% 72%
Northern Adelaide Plains PWA
Allocated announcements 39,900 39,149 39,149 39,162 27,967 28,100
Allocated extractions 13,950 13,754 12,835 13,177 13,097 14,620
% used 35% 35% 33% 34% 47% 52%
Total
Allocated announcements 110,600 109,110 109,110 109,114 97,918 95,595
Allocated extractions 44,115 43,539 44,766 45,392 34,368 53,793
% used 40% 40% 41% 42% 35% 56%

 

  • Total groundwater allocated in the region during 2022-23 was 110,600 ML, all for individual users.
  • Around 40% of the allocated groundwater was taken, which has been consistent over the past few years. This was likely influenced by the improved rainfall conditions during the past few winters, increasing the surface water availability for consumptive use during the year.

 

Urban system supply

 

Table S9 Water sources used in Adelaide's urban supply system over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Water sources 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Surface water 70,000 74,379 50,323 33,745 31,781 105,970
Desalination water 4,804 5,323 5,139 40,001 4,901 4,268
Inter-region inflow 85,506 87,586 112,684 94,183 135,719 51,339
Total urban water supplied 160,310 167,288 168,146 167,929 172,401 161,577

 

  • Total inflows to the urban supply system during 2022-23 was 160,310 ML, about 4% less than last year.
  • Around 44% of the total urban supply was from surface water storages. The non-allocated diversions to the urban system comprise water that was imported from the River Murray and stored within the region's storages.
  • Inter-region water from the River Murray accounted for 52% of the total urban supply, while desalinated water contributed to 4% of the urban supply. An increase in surface water availability during the year decreased the reliance on desalinated water to meet urban demand.
  • For more information on the use of desalinated water for the Adelaide region, please visit SA Water's Seawater website.