South Eastwww.secatchment.com.au phone 8723 2271

The South East has some of theState’s most productive land with winegrapes, forestry, and other agriculture.As well as supporting this production,its surface and extensive groundwatersystems are essential for the health ofmany unique eco-systems includingBool Lagoon and Picanninie Ponds.

Eyre Peninsulaphone 86825655

This Board covers council areas fromCeduna to Cleve. Water is particularlyprecious in this region as it dependslargely on groundwater and the onlyway that the water in the aquifer isrecharged is by rainfall. This area is animportant producer for the Stateproviding nearly half our wheat, andabout one third of our wool and lambs.

Arid Areasphone 8204 9131

This Board is responsible for nearly80% of the State! And because mostof the area is arid, managing thescarce water it does have is evenmore important. Some of SouthAustralia's most important waterresources are found here includingthe Lake Eyre Basin and its rivers,and the Great Artesian Basin. Thesewater resources are vital to outbackcommunities and sustain someunique eco-systems.

Catchment WaterManagement Board

River Murray www.rivermurray.sa.gov.auphone 8582 4477

Dominated by the Murray, this Board's responsibilities stretch fromthe Victorian border to the MurrayMouth, including the most relevantareas of the Murray Darling Basin inSouth Australia. The area's economy is largely based on agriculture,manufacturing, and tourism - all heavilyreliant on the local water resources.

Onkaparingawww.onkaparinga.netphone 8374 6000

This Board covers an area fromLobethal in the Adelaide Hills toHallet Cove and Sellicks Beach.As well as the Onkaparinga RiverCatchment, this diverse area includesField River, Christies Creek and theentire Willunga Basin. It covers 920square kilometres of mixed urbanand rural land including extensiveareas of grazing lands, orchards,vegetable growing and vineyards.

A catchment is an area of landthat collects surface andgroundwater that drains to thelowest point, usually a creek,river, lake or aquifer.

From the outback to the sea,everyone lives in a catchment area. It is important that catchment water is managed in a way that protects the quality and quantity of our waterand the health of waterways and eco-systems. To help to do this,Catchment Water ManagementBoards have been established.

Different Boards have different needsand problems to address, but they all work closely with thecommunity to efficiently manage thewater resources in their area, protectand rehabilitate their waterways andeco-systems, and find innovative andsustainable methods for use of these water resources.

Northern Adelaide and Barossawww. catchments.net/nab phone 8285 2033

This Board covers an area nearly2,000 square kilometers and 320,000people. It is home to some of themost productive agricultural land,important manufacturing industries,the premium grape growing region ofthe Barossa Valley, and the fruit andveggie basket of the NorthernAdelaide Plains. Water from thiscatchment area is discharged into thesea through the Barker Inlet.

Patawalonga and Torrens www.cwmb.sa.gov.auphone 8271 9190

These Boards covers much of Adelaide,and the Adelaide Hills region. Thearea provides water for the city andincludes the River Torrens, WestLakes/Port Adelaide River catchmentsand the Patawalonga Basin. Land usein the area ranges from urban to rural.Gulf St Vincent where the water fromthese catchments is ultimately drainedis an important aquatic eco-system.

A bore takes water from the Great ArtesianBasin. Because the water is under pressure it willflow continually unless it is controlled.

www.ministers.sa.gov.auThis South Australian Government site includes a fullcollection of speeches and press releases on water issues.

www.mdbc.gov.auMurray Darling Basin Commission’s extensive siteincludes their many initiatives throughout the Basin.

www.irrigation.org.auIrrigation Association of Australia site includes a directoryof irrigation products and services.

www.awa.asn.auAustralian Water Association promotes responsiblemanagement of water and its related resources. Includesa product and services directory.

Need to know more?www.watercare.netWatercare - links to many other sites for waterorganisations, and activities including KesabWatercare Club and Watercare III student resources.

www.SavetheMurray.comLinks to dozens of other sites about the River Murrayplus news, chat room, and resource material.

www.dwr.sa.gov.auDepartment for Water Resources site includinglegislation, policies and publications.

www.sa.waterwatch.org.auWaterwatch SA - how to improve water quality andinvolve the community.

www.mlrcp.sa.gov.auMt Lofty Ranges Catchment Program. Onground Mt Lofty action and funded projects can be found at this site.

www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au River Murray Urban Users provides information aboutthe Murray River, resources and fact sheets, news,events and schools programs.

www.catchments.netLinks to individual catchment water managementboard sites with information on your area, how youcan help, fact sheets and more.

These web sites will help you tofind out more about ‘water care’

Jacobs Creek, before restoration

Which

area are you in?

Jacobs Creek, after restoration

EVERYBODY NEEDS

Our future depends on it.

We cannot continue theseharmful practices any longer.Now we have to rehabilitate our waterresources, protect and heal them, and developnew ways of managing them. Every South Australian can and must play a part inprotecting our water. It is vital for our future, and ourchildren's future.

We couldn’t live without it.

Water is the most precious commodity on earth. Without it, life on our planet could

not exist. Managing our water resources is vitalfor the future of South Australia - our population, our

environment, our economy and our quality-of-life.We now know that some of the ways we used water

in the past were inefficient and have caused damage to ourwaterways and surrounding catchments.

Acknowledgement:South Australian Tourism Commission for photography(www.southaustralia.com)

A Message fromthe Premier

We rely onthe MurrayThe River Murray is the largestand most important of SouthAustralia’s water resources. Werely on it to support our industry,regional communities and primaryproduction. We even rely on it toprovide drinking water forAdelaide and many regionaltownships. Some years, up to90% of Adelaide’s tap water isprovided by the Murray.

Half Our WaterOn average half of the total waterSouth Australia uses for irrigation,domestic and industrialconsumption comes from the River.It’s the lifeline of our state. Withoutthe Murray we could not enjoy thequality-of-life, environmentaldiversity, recreational facilities ortourism success that we do. In fact,we couldn’t enjoy much at all.

“ All South Australiansshould be proud of the way wehave begun a new era in ourrelationship with our waterwaysand water resources.

We often tell others that we arethe driest State on the driestcontinent. But now we can also say that we are leading thenation, and sometimes the world,in finding the best ways to use,manage and conserve water.

From our catchment watermanagement boards to our re-use of treated effluent, from ouraquifer recharger to our irrigationimprovements, from our ‘Savethe Murray’ campaign to our salt inception schemes ~ we aredoing everything we can toprotect our water resources for future generations.

We have even managed tomake the future of the RiverMurray a top priority for thewhole nation.

We need to keep leading theway. And the information in this supplement is a very goodstart for everyone who wants to help.”

Premier of South Australia

The lifeline ofOur State

The Fight for the MurraySouth Australia has beeninstrumental in securing acommitment of hundreds of millionsof dollars from the CommonwealthGovernment and the other States tohelp us fight to bring the Murrayback to health.

For the sake of our future allSouth Australians need tocontinue to lead the way inprotecting the River Murray.

4 States Working TogetherThe River Murray is part of theMurray Darling river system, thelongest in Australia and 15th largest in the world. Extendingthrough four States, the enormousstrain on this natural resource isbeginning to take its toll.Queensland, Victoria, New SouthWales and South Australia are nowall working together to protect thehealth of the River Murray.

RehabilitationDoing their bitin Berri andBarmeraThe Berri Barmera Local ActionPlanning Group started 4 years agowhen 12 volunteers got together tolook after their local area. Their aimwas to find out how their region’snatural resources had degraded andwhat they could do to help.

Continuingthe CoorongThe waters of the River Murray begintheir journey in the Australian Alps andmore than 2,500 km later theyreach the sea, entering theCoorong through thetidal Murray Mouth.This area is listedas a water birdhabitat ofworld-wideimportanceunder theRamsarConvention:an internationaltreaty recognizingthe value ofwetlands.

To protect these importantwetlands the South Australianand Commonwealth Governmentshave purchased the property ofWyndgate, at the south-eastern end of Hindmarsh Island, at the western entrance to the CoorongNational Park.

Now Wyndgate can develop further as an important conservation andrehabilitation site for the wetlands,woodlands and associated wildlife. It will enhance the conservation andmanagement of the whole of theMurray Mouth, Lower Lakes andCoorong areas.

$40m IrrigationSystem to halvesalinityIrrigators are by far the largest usersof water from the River Murray.Without this water, many of theindustries along the River would beunable to survive. But inefficient andoutdated irrigation methods have ledto rising salinity and these industriesknow that if they want to survive theyhave to protect the river.

Irrigation Improvement PlanIn the Loxton area, one of Australia’slargest irrigation improvement projectsis underway. It is a joint venturebetween State and Commonwealthgovernments, Loxton irrigators andCentury Orchards. The improvements,worth around $40 million, will halvethe amount of salt seeping back intothe River Murray from that area.

A Significant Step The new system will dramaticallyreduce water lost through seepageand evaporation that occurred withold concrete open channels. Theseare being replaced with approximately70km of new high-pressure hydraulicpipelines. The irrigation improvementsat Loxton are an example of thesignificant, practical projects backingup the State Government’s Save theMurray campaign.

These gates were installed by the BarmeraMoorook Field and Game Association in aneffort to be more responsible about their sport.

Outdated open concrete channels at Loxton.

Laying the new underground hydraulic pipelines

Lake Bonney blue green algae on a hotsummer day. Outbreaks are usually isolated asthe algae only survives in calm, hot water.

MurrayThe

The Group raised funds throughindustry and Government and nowaround 150 people work on a rangeof activities from Lyrup Ferry toOverland Corner including:

• Running River Care Courses,educating over 100 irrigators on howto improve the way they use water.

• Involving irrigators in the FREE useof expensive scheduling equipment, to encourage them to adopt betterpractices, or purchase similarequipment.

• Lowering tracks, de-silting pipesand installing structures to increaseflows onto local wetlands to flush saltand stimulate floodplain growth.

• Securing funding to move theBarmera Effluent Ponds to stoppollutants entering Lake Bonney.

For more information telephone8582 1922.

Pictured right: Aerial view of Wyndgateconservation site

detergents, germs, oil andgrease also ends up in thecreek, river or sea. Thisresults in pollution of these waterways that can kill aquatic life, create unsafe swimming conditions and make the waterways in our parksand beaches unsightly.

KEEPING OUR WATERWAYS HEALTHYIt’s in your hands! By law, everyone is responsible for making sure that nothing but rainwater goes down ourstormwater drains. The way we do things at work and at

home can contribute to pollution. So let’s work togetherand do the simple little things listed on the right toprotect our creeks, rivers, lakes and beaches.

What’s beingdone?South Australia has undertaken a number of innovative projectsto reduce the impact of both stormwater and sewerage.

The State Government, Catchment Boards and Councilshave established wetlands to allow stormwater to settlebefore flowing to the sea. It has completely remodelled the Patawalonga estuary toallow for seawater flushing thereby reducing the damage tothe environment and making it suitable once more foraquatic sports.

Sewage treatment plants remove solids but not nutrientsfrom waste water. Government schemes north and south ofthe city are now using the resulting nutrient-rich water foragriculture and horticulture, reducing the amount of pollutionthat goes into the Gulf, thereby helping industry andconserving freshwater resources.

From the Street to theBeachMany people don't know that waterfrom our gutters, called stormwater,goes almost directly into the sea.

When we wash rubbish like leavesand lawn clippings into the street anddrains, they can end up in the sea andthe delicate balance of nature is upset. Thiscan contribute to Algae ‘blooms’ that cansmother sensitive sea-grasses and damage thebreeding habitat, shelter and food source of a variety of marine creatures.

One such creature is the Leafy Seadragon, SouthAustralia's marine emblem and a relative of the seahorse.Like the WaterCare frog, Seadragons can give us valuable

information about the quality of our coastal areas. Dragon Search is a community-based program that collectsSeadragon sightings for this information. Our coastal watersare another important part of our water resource system.

For more information about how you can help protectCoastal areas, contact: The Marine Discovery Centre: 8356 8943Dragon Search (SA): 8223 5155

Information for this text has been provided by the Marine DiscoveryCentre. Photograph bypermission MLSSA, photographer David Muirhead.

Stormwateror Sewerage?Many people do not realise, but thestormwater drainage system iscompletely separate from thesewerage system.

SEWERAGE is the system ofsewer pipes that take waste waterfrom the sink, toilet and shower to the sewage treatment plant before it’sdischarged back into theenvironment.

STORMWATER is water that comes offour roofs, driveways, footpaths and roads when it rains.Stormwater is captured in drains in street gutters. Theyempty into creeks, rivers and eventually the sea or a lake.Only clean rainwater run-off should enter this system.

POLLUTION. Stormwater is not treated, so anythingcarried with the stormwater such as litter, soil, garden waste,

Don’t throw cigarette butts or any litteronto the road. Anything that floats will endup in rivers or on beaches.

When building or renovating, make suresand and other materials are kept awayfrom stormwater drains and gutters.

Wash your car on the lawn not in thestreet where detergents can godown stormwater drains.

Use a broom to cleandriveways and footpaths andput the dirt in the compost oryour own back yard. Don’those it into the gutter.

Do not wash, sweep or depositdog or other animal droppings into thegutter or stormwater system. Put them intoa rubbish bin.

When you are gardening, use leaves andlawn clippings for compost, don’t hose orsweep into the gutter.

Fix oil and radiatorleaks on your carso that thesesubstances don’twash into ourwaterways.

When working around the house, don’tpour oils, wastewater, paint, washing up oranything down the stormwater drain orgutter.

Don’t over-use garden fertilisers orchemicals and don’t use them near drainsor watercourses. Especially avoid usingthem during windy conditions or when rainis forecast.

When you arewalking your dog,make sure that youcarry a plastic bag ora ‘pooper-scooper’ topick up your dog’sdroppings.

Don’t wash equipment, tools orpaintbrushes where the wastewater will runinto stormwater drains.

Make sure swimming pools arebackwashed into the sewer not thestormwater drain.

Plant native plants that use less water anddon’t drop as many leaves that pollutewaterways.

If you own a farm, fence waterways toprevent livestock from polluting water anderoding banks and creek beds.

Get involved with community groups toshare ideas about increasing water qualityand reducing pollution.

15 easy waysto protectour water

Why frogs for theWaterCare logo?WaterCare is all about looking after the quality of ourwaterways. We all know frogs and tadpoles live in anaquatic environment, but less well known is that frogs are good bio-indicators of the quality of a waterway.

What's a bio-indicator?A living creature that is able to tell you something about its environment is called a bio-indicator. For example, having lots of frogs in an area tells us that the environmentis healthy.

What makesfrogs a goodbio-indicator?

Frogs are good bio-indicators because they,

and their eggs, areextremely vulnerable to

pollution. They absorboxygen and water, and any toxins

present, through their permeable skin into their bodies.

If for some reason frogs are suddenly missing from anarea, this is usually a sign the environment is being polluted.

Frog CensusFrogs are such good indicators of the health of ourwaterways, that every year the Environment ProtectionAuthority conducts a Frog Census. Volunteers acrossthe State record the sounds of frogs around their local waterways.

Scientists identify the frog species they hear on the tapesand use them to build a picture of the distribution of frogsand therefore the quality of the water in differentareas. It’s up to us toprotect our water, notjust for frogs, but forourselves.

For more information orto be involved in the FrogCensus contact theEnvironment ProtectionAgency on 8204 2000.

Our Patch is a great programmethat helps people to be activelyinvolved in protecting, restoringand managing the quality of a‘Patch’ of their water catchmentarea. A Patch can be large or small- from a few metres to a fewkilometres. Anyone can be involved.

Our Patch teams can include localresidents, neighbours, schools,service clubs and community groups,with support provided by local counciland industry.

Different Patches need different activities like:

• Monitoring water quality • Protecting native vegetation and

removing weeds • Reintroducing native plants • Clean-up and anti-litter programmes • Maintaining and improving Linear ParksFor more information contact your localCatchment Water Management Board.Picture: Onkaparinga Our Patch officer with Happy ValleyPrimary School students.

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Collection nets installed in stormwater drainsprevent rubbish reaching the sea.

Frogs don't drink or breathewith their mouth. They

absorb water and air throughtheir skin.

If a frog eats something poisonous it can

throw up its entire stomach. The stomach

sticks out through their mouth and the frog can

use its front leg to wipe off the bad food.

Frogs can jump 20 times

their own length. Kangaroos

only jump about four and a

half times their length.

The earliest known frogappeared during the late

Jurassic period, about 190million years ago.

When a frog swallows a meal his eyeballs close andgo down into his head wherethey apply pressure and push

his meal down his throat.

Frog

s do

have

ears

and

they

are

conn

ected

to th

eir lu

ngs.

Whe

n th

ey h

ear n

oise

s the

ir

lung

s vib

rate

as w

ell a

s

their

eard

rum

s.

the leaves. This process can clean water by removingcontaminants and pollution.

CONDENSATION is the process of changing water from avapour to a liquid. As the evaporated water in the air coolsdown it turns into liquid and clouds are formed.

PRECIPITATION begins when the water that iscondensing becomes too heavy to remain in the air.It usually falls to the ground as rain, but it can also be snowor hail.

INFILTRATION is the process whereby some of theprecipitation that reaches the Earth’s surface seeps into the ground.

RUNOFF is the water that doesn’t infiltrate the soil flowingover the surface of the ground. Runoff flows towards thelowest point and eventually drains into streams, lakes andthe ocean.

P aTCh WorKThe Water CycleEvery living creature on Earth is dependent on water. But only humans are interfering with the way naturemanages water so much that we may damage it forever.The amount we take, the way we pollute it and the waywe move it - eg irrigation, can seriously damage thenatural balance.

It is important that we learn to use water in a way thatrespects the ‘water cycle’ and protects the health of ourwater resources for the future of all the living creaturesthat depend on them.

EVAPORATION occurs when the sun heats water, causingthe water molecules to become so active that some of themrise into the atmosphere as vapour.

TRANSPIRATION occurs when plants take in water through their roots and then release it into the air through

10

from aroundth

ew

orld

$100 MillionImprovement Plan

South Australia is leading the way.After winning the fight to establish anational action plan, this State hascommitted $100 million over sevenyears as part of the plan to tacklesalinity and improve water quality inthe Murray-Darling River system.

The Salt Boat:Monitoring River

SalinityAs holiday-makers in houseboats, water-

skiers and keen fishermen in dinghies enjoy theMurray River, another boat quietly gets about its

business. It’s the 5.5 metre ‘Run of River’ survey boat.

Testing the Water‘The Run of River’ survey boat, collects samples of waterevery kilometre using an intake tube attached to thedeepest part of the hull. The water flows to a salinity-measuring instrument connected to a computer. Thesesurveys provide data on the amount of salt entering theRiver daily.

Flushing out the SaltThe surveys also help to identify ‘hot spots’, where salt isentering the River, for further investigation andimplementation of salt interception schemes

Anti-Salinity TacticsAs well as the ‘Run of River’ boat, theEnvironmental Monitoring and EvaluationUnit of the Department for Water Resourcesin Berri also monitors salinity using recordersmounted on pontoons that can sample thewater every half hour. These are just some ofthe tactics used in the fight against salinity.

Salt has always entered the RiverMurray because saline ground waterwould flow into the River from itssurroundings. This was a naturaloccurrence, and before Europeansettlement, nature took care ofthe River and its eco-systems,maintaining the right balance.

We Have Changedthe RiverWe remove its water for irrigation, weregulate its flow through dams andweirs, the bed is dredged and the flowof its mouth is restricted. We have clearedvast areas of Riverside land and introducednon native plants and wildlife. It simply can’tcope anymore.

River in Serious DeclineThe alarming truth is that now, the health of the RiverMurray is in serious decline. Salinity levels have risen to thepoint where they are of concern to all South Australians.

Drinking Water 3 Days out of 5Salt may be good on fish and chips, but not in our water.Unless we do something to control salinity in the Murray,water quality is expected to decline over the next 20 years tothe point where it will only be fit to drink on 3 days out of 5.

Short Term Damage Salt is not removed by filtration, so saltier river water meanssaltier water supplies to our homes, affecting our pipes,household appliances, gardens, and clothes as well as ourdrinking water. It may also cause:• Serious losses in farm production • Rising salt damage to buildings, roads and other

structures• Damage to the natural environment

Turn Back the ClockIt is vital that we act to reverse as much as possible thedamage that has already been done to the River Murray.We need to change the way we manage the River and itsresources to protect its health for the future.

Every drop you save, helps save the Murray.Saving water can be as simple as:

Installing a water efficientshowerhead is a sure way to

save water wastage.

Not leaving the tap running when brushing your teeth

and shaving.

Washing your car using abucket filled with water rather

than a running hose.

Fixing leaking plumbing; a leaky tap can waste

200 litres a day.

Using a timer when watering; aforgotten sprinkler wastesabout 1000 litres an hour.

Watering at night or in the earlymorning when less water is lost

to evaporation.

Playing with a hose & sprinklerscan be fun but it can also use1000 litres or more per hour.

Capturing run-off from your roofin rainwater tanks to use in the

house and garden.

Converting your toilet to a dual flush system.

Using a broom rather thanhosing driveways and footpaths;

it’ll save 100’s of litres.

Planting local South Australianspecies as they require

less water.

Mulching leaves & lawnclippings; it can prevent up to

73% evaporation loss.

and there are other things you can do…• Using a front load washing machine as they

are more efficient than top loaders andwaiting until you have a full load.

• Not leaving the tap running when rinsing dishes.

• Not running the dishwasher until you have a full load.

• Selecting lawn varieties that do not need tobe watered as often.

The Minister for WaterResources, MarkBrindal, pictured withswimmer Tammy van Wisse,presenting theEnvironmental Awardfor ImprovingCommunityAwareness to Mike Schultz.

“ I Have grown up with theriver and realise how vital it isfor country South Australia…I’mkeen to do all I can to make sureall are aware of the problems sothey can do their bit.”

Mark Ricciuto, Adelaide Crows Captain.

“ My swim isover, but the

Murray is worthfighting for andthe battle must

continue.”Tammy van Wisse,

champion marathon swimmer

Salinity readings recorded on a portable computer monitoring waterflow by boat.

South Australia is the driest State on the world’sdriest continent and the River Murray is ourlifeline. But the Murray is in serious danger. Salt build-up is slowly but surely killing the mightyriver. You can make a difference by using less waterand not wasting it ~ because every drop of wateryou use is one less drop in the Murray. Less watermeans less river flow and increased salt levels.

Salinity. The River Killer

Stopping the saltinfiltration into the ground, and will not return to theRiver for thousands of years.

Benefits DownstreamThe schemes are directly benefiting downstream usersof River Murray water. Irrigators in the immediate areaare seeing the benefits of the lowered level of salinegroundwater under their land and the health of the RiverMurray flood plain vegetation is beginning to improve insome areas. Natural revegetation is also beingencouraged around the basin near Waikerie and over135 species of birds now inhabit the area.

Just the BeginningThe Waikerie scheme is currently being improved andextended downstream to enable removal of anadditional 35 tonnes of salt per day. And theGovernment is now implementing more saltinterception schemes at Qualco-Sunlands, Chowilla,Bookpurnong and Loxton to name a few.

TruckloadsPicture a convoy of dump trucks carrying salt pulling upand dropping their loads into the Murray River andyou’ll get an idea of how much salt enters the Riverevery day. Historically the areas around Waikerie andWoolpunda contributed close to 350 tonnes a daybetween them.

The TurnaroundNow, thanks to the State Government’s development ofsalt interception schemes, this massive figure has beenreduced by more than 85%. That’s over 300 tonnes ofsalt that is no longer going into the River every day.

How it WorksA system of bores and pumps take the highly salinegroundwater from underground before it can enter theRiver. It is piped to the 400 hectare Stockyard PlainDisposal Basin 15 km south west of Waikerie. There thesaline water is disposed of by evaporation and

“ I believe that education is the key role in developing

the transition from awareness to change.”Mike Schultz, educator and leadingRiver Murray conservationist.

How do you test for salinity?Salinty is a measurement of the concentrationof salts in water. Technically, salinity is measuredin Electrical Conductivity Units (ECU’s). Themore salt in a solution, the more it conductselectricity.

Electrical Conductivity Units

<50 Rainwater

650 Salinity level can damage irrigated crops

800 World Health Organisation standards consider this the maximum desirable limit for water quality

>1500 Can’t be used for many cropsLikely to cause direct damage to natural ecosystems

>5000 No longer considered to be fresh waterMost freshwater animals and fish won’t survive

50,000 Seawater

Ground water interception at Waikerie.

Ambassadors help spread the word…A number of prominent Australians have been appointed as ‘Save The Murray’ Ambassadors. Here is what 3 of them had to say:

South Eastwww.secatchment.com.au phone 8723 2271

The South East has some of theState’s most productive land with winegrapes, forestry, and other agriculture.As well as supporting this production,its surface and extensive groundwatersystems are essential for the health ofmany unique eco-systems includingBool Lagoon and Picanninie Ponds.

Eyre Peninsulaphone 86825655

This Board covers council areas fromCeduna to Cleve. Water is particularlyprecious in this region as it dependslargely on groundwater and the onlyway that the water in the aquifer isrecharged is by rainfall. This area is animportant producer for the Stateproviding nearly half our wheat, andabout one third of our wool and lambs.

Arid Areasphone 8204 9131

This Board is responsible for nearly80% of the State! And because mostof the area is arid, managing thescarce water it does have is evenmore important. Some of SouthAustralia's most important waterresources are found here includingthe Lake Eyre Basin and its rivers,and the Great Artesian Basin. Thesewater resources are vital to outbackcommunities and sustain someunique eco-systems.

Catchment WaterManagement Board

River Murray www.rivermurray.sa.gov.auphone 8582 4477

Dominated by the Murray, this Board's responsibilities stretch fromthe Victorian border to the MurrayMouth, including the most relevantareas of the Murray Darling Basin inSouth Australia. The area's economy is largely based on agriculture,manufacturing, and tourism - all heavilyreliant on the local water resources.

Onkaparingawww.onkaparinga.netphone 8374 6000

This Board covers an area fromLobethal in the Adelaide Hills toHallet Cove and Sellicks Beach.As well as the Onkaparinga RiverCatchment, this diverse area includesField River, Christies Creek and theentire Willunga Basin. It covers 920square kilometres of mixed urbanand rural land including extensiveareas of grazing lands, orchards,vegetable growing and vineyards.

A catchment is an area of landthat collects surface andgroundwater that drains to thelowest point, usually a creek,river, lake or aquifer.

From the outback to the sea,everyone lives in a catchment area. It is important that catchment water is managed in a way that protects the quality and quantity of our waterand the health of waterways and eco-systems. To help to do this,Catchment Water ManagementBoards have been established.

Different Boards have different needsand problems to address, but they all work closely with thecommunity to efficiently manage thewater resources in their area, protectand rehabilitate their waterways andeco-systems, and find innovative andsustainable methods for use of these water resources.

Northern Adelaide and Barossawww. catchments.net/nab phone 8285 2033

This Board covers an area nearly2,000 square kilometers and 320,000people. It is home to some of themost productive agricultural land,important manufacturing industries,the premium grape growing region ofthe Barossa Valley, and the fruit andveggie basket of the NorthernAdelaide Plains. Water from thiscatchment area is discharged into thesea through the Barker Inlet.

Patawalonga and Torrens www.cwmb.sa.gov.auphone 8271 9190

These Boards covers much of Adelaide,and the Adelaide Hills region. Thearea provides water for the city andincludes the River Torrens, WestLakes/Port Adelaide River catchmentsand the Patawalonga Basin. Land usein the area ranges from urban to rural.Gulf St Vincent where the water fromthese catchments is ultimately drainedis an important aquatic eco-system.

A bore takes water from the Great ArtesianBasin. Because the water is under pressure it willflow continually unless it is controlled.

www.ministers.sa.gov.auThis South Australian Government site includes a fullcollection of speeches and press releases on water issues.

www.mdbc.gov.auMurray Darling Basin Commission’s extensive siteincludes their many initiatives throughout the Basin.

www.irrigation.org.auIrrigation Association of Australia site includes a directoryof irrigation products and services.

www.awa.asn.auAustralian Water Association promotes responsiblemanagement of water and its related resources. Includesa product and services directory.

Need to know more?www.watercare.netWatercare - links to many other sites for waterorganisations, and activities including KesabWatercare Club and Watercare III student resources.

www.SavetheMurray.comLinks to dozens of other sites about the River Murrayplus news, chat room, and resource material.

www.dwr.sa.gov.auDepartment for Water Resources site includinglegislation, policies and publications.

www.sa.waterwatch.org.auWaterwatch SA - how to improve water quality andinvolve the community.

www.mlrcp.sa.gov.auMt Lofty Ranges Catchment Program. Onground Mt Lofty action and funded projects can be found at this site.

www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au River Murray Urban Users provides information aboutthe Murray River, resources and fact sheets, news,events and schools programs.

www.catchments.netLinks to individual catchment water managementboard sites with information on your area, how youcan help, fact sheets and more.

These web sites will help you tofind out more about ‘water care’

Jacobs Creek, before restoration

Which

area are you in?

Jacobs Creek, after restoration

EVERYBODY NEEDS

Our future depends on it.

We cannot continue theseharmful practices any longer.Now we have to rehabilitate our waterresources, protect and heal them, and developnew ways of managing them. Every South Australian can and must play a part inprotecting our water. It is vital for our future, and ourchildren's future.

We couldn’t live without it.

Water is the most precious commodity on earth. Without it, life on our planet could

not exist. Managing our water resources is vitalfor the future of South Australia - our population, our

environment, our economy and our quality-of-life.We now know that some of the ways we used water

in the past were inefficient and have caused damage to ourwaterways and surrounding catchments.

Acknowledgement:South Australian Tourism Commission for photography(www.southaustralia.com)