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To determine the status of streamflow, beginning with the 2015 reporting period, the current reporting year is analysed and compared to the total period of record available.

First, annual streamflow for each streamflow gauging station is summarised for the total period of record available. Data is extended to a consistent period of record using double mass analysis for gauging stations with a shorter period of record. Next, the status for each gauging station was determined by expressing each reporting year’s streamflow in relation to the total available annual streamflow record using a percentile rank function. For prescribed areas with a single streamflow gauging station (i.e. Morambro Creek) or a streamflow gauging station at the end of the system (i.e. Barossa), which captures the total streamflow of the prescribed area, the annual streamflow percentile of that station is used to determine the status of streamflow. For prescribed areas with unconnected catchments and more than one streamflow gauging station that fails to capture the total streamflow of the prescribed area (i.e. the Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges), the annual streamflow from gauging stations in hydrologically similar surface water catchments are added together and then the total combined streamflow is ranked to determine the status of streamflow.

Once the annual streamflow percentile has been determine for the prescribed area, an overall status – or traffic light colour – for the regional-scale surface water resource is then assigned. Status is assigned based on the annual streamflow percentile for the current reporting period being within a percentile grouping range:

1. annual streamflow between the 75th‑100th percentile of the period of record (green status)
2. annual streamflow between the 50th‑75th percentile of the period of record (yellow status)
3. annual streamflow between the 25th‑50th percentile of the period of record (amber status)
4. annual streamflow between the 0‑25th percentile of the period of record (red).

Definitions of Surface Water Status Reports’ status symbols have been updated to align with the new approach of assigning the status of prescribed surface water resources based on streamflow data only. Both suites of status symbol definitions can be viewed via the Water Resource Status Symbols link on the Water Resources Assessments page on WaterConnect.

In 2014, a review of the Groundwater status reports and Surface Water status reports was undertaken with the aim of refining the existing reporting format, primarily to improve each report’s clarity and usability. Following consultation, a number of technical amendments to the reporting approach were adopted, beginning with the 2015 reporting period.

There are three main changes to Groundwater Status Reports:

• Assessing the status of groundwater resources is now based on five-year trends, compared to the previous approach of year-on-year snapshot reporting. This change also resulted in an update to the definitions of status symbols.
• Reporting of rainfall and groundwater extraction data over a five-year period – shown in water-use years (i.e. financial years) – thereby providing insights into possible relationships between variations in annual rainfall, changing rates of groundwater extraction and changing groundwater levels and salinity
• Including gridded rainfall charts at three different temporal scales.

There is one main change to Surface Water Status Reports:

• Assessing the status for surface water resources is now based solely on streamflow data—where the status of each reporting year’s streamflow is expressed in relation to the total available annual streamflow records, using a percentile function.

To determine the status of groundwater salinity for the 2015 reporting period, the trend in groundwater salinity over the past five years was analysed (e.g. for 2015 reports, this is the period 2011–15 inclusive). The status for each well is then determined, based on whether the trend in salinity is either declining (blue), rising (yellow) or stable (green).

In a similar approach to that taken for groundwater levels, the definition of ‘stable’ salinity is based on tolerances, whereby a well’s groundwater salinity can show a rising or declining trend, but measure within a certain margin (tolerance) and still be considered stable. The tolerance chosen to delineate stable salinity is ±10%, measured over the past five years:

where ∆S is the change in salinity [%]; five-year trend is the trend calculated over the past five years (2011–15 inclusive) [mg/L]; and S₂₀₁₁ is the average salinity measured in 2011 [mg/L].

A tolerance of ±10% was chosen to account for errors in measuring groundwater salinity (e.g. human or instrument error) and to compensate for possible errors due to:

• timing of sample collection (i.e. seasonal differences such as winter versus summer)
• inconsistencies in purging of wells before the salinity sample is collected
• temperature effects
• calibration of instruments.

Once the groundwater level and salinity status has been assigned for each well, an overall status for the regional-scale groundwater resource is then assigned, and this overall status is typically based on five-year trends, as shown by the majority of monitoring wells. However, other factors are often taken into consideration, such as: the ‘robustness’ of an aquifer; rates and intensity of groundwater extraction; and the value or end-use purpose of the water (e.g. water for critical human needs). If trends in groundwater level and salinity are conflicting, a conservative approach is generally adhered to. For example, if groundwater levels are declining but salinity is stable, then the overall status will likely be based on trends in groundwater levels.

Definitions of Groundwater status reports’ status symbols have been updated to align with the new approach of assigning the status of groundwater resources based on past five-year trends (in contrast to year-on-year snapshot reporting). Both suites of status symbol definitions can be viewed via the Water Resource Status Symbols link on the Water Resources Assessments page on WaterConnect.

The prescribed area status reports provide the community with factual information and analysis of the available groundwater and surface water data. They provide a snapshot of the current status of prescribed water resources to assist the government, water resource users, and the community to plan and manage prescribed water resources into the future.

Prescribed area status reports are being prepared for Prescribed Water Resource Areas, Prescribed Wells Areas, and a limited number of important areas which have adequate monitoring data available to assess the status of the prescribed water resources.

The reports are prepared using the latest data available to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (the Department). Most of the data used to create the reports are collected by the Department through metering of licensed water users, and through regular monitoring of the Department's streamflow and Observation Well network.

Observation Well data can be accessed from the Groundwater Data application.

Surface water data can be accessed from the Real-Time Water Data application.

There are many reasons why the status of a prescribed water resource may have changed.

Prescribed Area Assessment Reports are prepared using the best information and scientific knowledge available at the time of preparation. New knowledge obtained may have revealed a change in the water resource data, or availability to existing users.

When the decision was made to prepare Groundwater Status Reports in the new format (Summary Report Card), several of the 2011 status reports were already completed and it would have caused unnecessary delays in the release of these reports if they were changed to the new format.

Refer to “Why was the format of the Groundwater Status Reports changed?”

Those parts of the environment, the species composition and natural ecological processes, which are determined by the temporary or permanent presence of flowing or standing water, above or below ground. The in-stream areas of rivers, riparian vegetation, springs, wetlands, floodplains, estuaries and lakes are all WDEs).

To clearly and accurately communicate the salinity of the resource for a particular year, it is best to view the latest salinity reading for the particular year recorded for a salinity monitoring well. Whilst regional salinity contours are useful in viewing regional salinity variability, the use of the latest salinity for the year is appropriate to indicate the specific salinity at a particular point in time. The regional salinity contours will still be communicated in the technical reports, which are to be prepared every 5 to 10 years (also refer to “Why was the format of the Groundwater Status Reports changed?”).

Where over-use of water resources is identified, the resources can be prescribed under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. This means a regulatory framework can be introduced to ensure the resource is managed sustainably. Once a water resource is prescribed the relevant regional Natural Resources Management Board must prepare a draft Water Allocation Plan. Community consultation is a key aspect in the preparation of Water Allocation Plans.

Water Allocation Plans and related information are published on regional NRM Board websites. (Access your regional NRM Board website from www.nrm.sa.gov.au).

The Department also prepares regional Demand and Supply Statements for each region of South Australia. These provide a long-term view of all water sources and demands across South Australia's eight Natural Resources Management regions.

Send an email to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Groundwater Team at DEWNRGroundwater@sa.gov.au and we will respond to your query as quickly as possible. Or, contact the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) on (08) 8463 6800.

After the release of the base reports and in consultation with stakeholders, it was decided that the Groundwater Summary Report Cards could be more efficiently and effectively provided by focusing solely on the significant aquifers within each prescribed area, in particular, the primary aquifers from which the majority of licensed groundwater extractions are taken. You can access up-to-date monitoring data for the remaining groundwater resources from the Groundwater Data application under the Data Systems tab on this website.

Whilst non prescribed water resources in South Australia may not have the same level of historical demands for extraction and development as prescribed resources, they are still important assets for communities, industry and water dependent ecosystems.

The objective of this project is to improve the understanding of non-prescribed water resources in the South Australia (the State). Water resources are important for sustaining agriculture, industry, mining and rural townships, but non-prescribed regions have traditionally been poorly understood due to low demand and limited monitoring and investigation programs. A better understanding of the potential for water resource development will benefit a broad range of stakeholders and assist to identify regions that require further investigation and effective monitoring.

The Government of South Australian (2009) in its Water for Good plan, identified that the State’s non-prescribed water resources require monitoring and management to enhance sustainable development opportunities and avoid them being over exploited. Water for Good supports this through an action to expand monitoring networks and increase the regularity of assessments and reporting. The Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) has lead agency responsibility for ensuring the sustainable management of groundwater and surface water resources of the State under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and in response to water security issues facing the State.

Prescription is a term used when regulation is required to manage ongoing water resource extraction. There are many areas across the State which has been prescribed by regulation. In these area’s a water licence is required to take and use water. Water resources are generally prescribed in response to increasing demands for use that could impact on future sustainability of the resource.

The term non-prescribed simply refers to all area’s within a Natural Resource Management (NRM) region that has not been prescribed.

Assessments are being conducted for non-prescribed regions on a NRM region scale. The first set of assessments have been completed for the Eyre Peninsula, Alinytjara Wilurara, South Australian Arid Lands, Northern and Yorke and Kangaroo Island NRM regions, and are available for download.

Phase 2 assessments have commenced for priority regions. Priorities are determined in consultation with the regional NRM Boards. Phase 2 assessments will continue to be undertaken over time and reports will progressively become available.

Surface water assessment reports will be prepared for each NRM region of the State, eight reports in all.

Data used in the production of the reports have been sourced principally from South Australia’s hydrological database (Hydstra) and hydrogeological database (SA Geodata) which are administered by DEWNR and Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA). Other sources of information accessed in support of these assessments include available literature and publicly available state and national geoservers – namely, PIRSA’s South Australian Resource Information Geoserver (SARIG) and Geoscience Australia’s (GA) geoserver.

Send an email to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Groundwater Team at DEWNRGroundwater@sa.gov.au and we will respond to your query as quickly as possible. Or, contact the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) on (08) 8463 6800.