Water is a precious resource and there is a limit to how much is available for our use. Water allocation plans provide certainty for current and future users of water by balancing environmental, social and economic needs for sustainable water use.
The Eyre Peninsula NRM Board is responsible for preparing, reviewing and amending water allocation plans for our region’s prescribed water resources. Prescribed water resources require close management and are declared under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. To learn more about prescribed water resources see the Water For Good website ‘Prescription of a water resource’ web page.
Water allocation plans aim to ensure that the allocation of an area’s water resources is done fairly, taking into account the needs of all water users and the environment. The plans set the principles or rules under which water can be allocated on water licenses. This involves placing limits on how much water can be taken from each prescribed groundwater aquifer and river system. Current science is used to set allocations, and water users, stakeholder groups and the community are consulted to ensure that allocations are fair and equitable. The plans are a ‘living’ document and are reviewed at least every 5 years.
Prescribed water resources on Eyre Peninsula
There are two prescribed water resources in the Eyre Peninsula NRM region:
These water resources were prescribed in 1987. Water allocation plans were developed for each of the prescribed wells areas in 2000 and 1001 and reviews were completed in April 2006.
Location of Southern Basins and Musgrave Prescribed Wells Areas
Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area
The Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area (PWA) is located south-west of Port Lincoln and covers an area of approximately 870 km2. The underground water resources of the Southern Basins PWA are contained primarily within the Quaternary Bridgewater Formation Limestone and the Tertiary Sand aquifers of the Lincoln, Uley and Coffin Bay basins. Significant groundwater lenses in this area include the Coffin Bay, Uley Wanilla, Uley East, Uley South and Lincoln lenses. The Quaternary Limestone aquifer occurs as isolated lenses with generally high yields and low salinity (less than 700 mg/L).
Underground water from the Southern Basins PWA provides the majority of Eyre Peninsula’s mains (or reticulated) public water supply needs. Groundwater from the Quaternary aquifer is primarily allocated for the reticulated public water supply, while the underlying Tertiary aquifer is primarily used for irrigation and stock and domestic purposes.
Increased understanding of the natural processes operating within these underground water resources suggests that the primary source of recharge water to these aquifers is from infiltration of rainfall falling directly onto the overlying land.
The Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area
Musgrave Prescribed Wells Area
The Musgrave Prescribed Wells Area (PWA) is located around the town of Elliston on Eyre Peninsula’s west and covers an area of approximately 3595 km2. The underground water resources of the Musgrave PWA are contained primarily within the Quaternary Bridgewater Formation Limestone and the Tertiary Sand aquifers of the Polda Basin. Significant groundwater lenses in the area include the Bramfield, Kappawanta, Polda, Talia, Tinline and Sheringa lenses. The groundwater resources of most significance in the Quarternary Limestone are the major lenses, which generally have high yields and low salinity (less than 1000 mg/L).
Within the Musgrave PWA, the majority of water is sourced from the Bramfield and Polda lenses, and is used predominantly for town water supplies. Additional uses include irrigation and stock and domestic purposes.
Historical observations indicate that a relationship exists between groundwater level and average rainfall patterns. Increased understanding of the natural processes operating within these underground water resources suggests that the primary source of recharge water to these aquifers is from infiltration of rainfall falling directly onto the overlying land.
The Musgrave Prescribed Wells Area
Preparation of New Water Allocation Plans
The Board is in the process of developing new Water Allocation Plans for the southern Basins and Musgrave prescribed Water Resources. Refer to the new Water Allocation Plan subpage for information regarding the preparation of new plans.
Contact
Program Manager – Water Resources, Eyre Peninsula NRM Board on (08) 8682 7555 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (08) 8682 7555 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.