How is Artesian water being conserved?
State authorities are working with landholders and the Federal government to conserve artesian water and assure the future of the Great Artesian Basin. Legislation passed in the States from 1910, required that all artesian bores be licensed under various water acts. Since the 1950s, all new artesian bores have been required to have control valves installed and the water distributed by pipeline rather than open drains. Piping of water from older bores is also encouraged. Not only does piping conserve water, it also improves productivity and management practices, as water can be distributed more widely across a property.
Other benefits of capping and piping bores include:
- Pipes can deliver water to parts of the property that previously could not be reached by bore drains
- When a number of properties are served by one bore, all properties including the ones at the end are guaranteed water
- Water quality in piped systems is as good at the watering point as it is at the bore
- Stock weakened by drought are better able to drink from troughs
- Spear traps can be installed at watering points so that stock can self muster
- A well designed system allows the effective use of the whole property all year round
- It is possible to deliver food supplements and medication to stock through drinking water
- Piped systems allow the possibility of trapping feral animals and/or livestock at watering points
- More effective spelling of paddocks as watering points are turned off
- Reduction of feral animal habitat
- Reduced maintenance time
Despite a substantial number of bores now being fully controlled with water distributed by pipelines to tanks and troughs, about 80% of the total outflow from the Basin is still wasted because of inefficient water delivery systems.
Research into why bores fail has resulted in higher standards of bore construction. Since the 1930s construction standards have required that an outer string of bore casing be cement grouted to protect it from the surrounding corrosive clays and prevent leakage of water up the outside of the casing. Inter-casing cementing is also required.
The Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) is a jointly funded initiative of the Federal and State governments and pastoral bore owners. GABSI aims to preserve the pressure of the Great Artesian Basin through rehabilitating uncontrolled bores and replacing bore drains with polyethylene pipes, tanks and troughs for livestock water.
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Last updated: 01 September 2009