Although improved rainfall and in-flows to the River Murray have helped the water supply for now, South Australia’s unpredictable climate continues to provide an uncertain future for the state’s water security.
The average residential water bill is set to increase by 40.3 percent over the next financial year in a bid to ensure sustainable use of water resources in South Australia along with fines and penalties dished out for excessive water use.
The extra charges for drinking water and sewerage to apply from 1 July 2011 have been introduced to recover costs from other water initiative projects.
The 2011 Budget will allocate over $800 million to diversify South Australia’s water supply with the continuation of water security projects including the Adelaide Desalination Plant and the North South Interconnector system.
Reducing dependence on the River Murray, the Adelaide Desalination Plant is expected to start producing water towards the end of July 2011 hoping to secure future water supplies for the state.
An increase in the volume of stormwater and waste water re-usage through various projects are also touted to ease reliance on the River Murray.
Regional water systems will see $22.5 million over four years spent on the operation and maintenance of the Upper and Lower South East drainage system due for completion midway through 2011.
Funding will go towards maintaining the total drainage system including drains, wetlands and environmental assets over the 2,475 kilometres of drainage network.
$5.4 million a year will be indexed with extra expenditure offset by revenue raised through a levy paid by beneficiaries of the drains from 2012-13.
The State Budget also included $4.3 million in funding to upgrade and maintain the Patawalonga Lake System to reduce risks of flooding in Glenelg.
