There are many methods being used to fight the rising salinity levels of the River Murray:

 

Interception of saline groundwater

 

Bores are constructed in regions of high groundwater salinity and concentrated natural or irrigation induced inflow. The water is pumped to locations remote from the river for disposal. SA Water’s schemes at Woolpunda and Waikerie are two examples of groundwater interception projects. These were funded by the Murray Darling Basin Commission and are operated on the Commission’s behalf by SA Water.

 

Interception of saline drainage

 

Natural and irrigation surface drainage water can be collected and disposed of by evaporation, instead of being discharged to the river.

 

Improved irrigation practices

 

By changing from flood to sprinkler or drip irrigation and by matching irrigation water supply more closely to crop water demand, the quantity of drainage water to be disposed of can be reduced. The volume of water bypassing the drainage system and reaching the local groundwater is also reduced, thereby decreasing the amount of salt reaching the river.

 

Improved water distribution systems

 

The use of a piped irrigation water distribution systems, rather than earth channels, reduces the amount of irrigation water that permeates the soil washing salt back into the Murray.

 

Catchment management

 

Reforestation is often promoted as a means of reversing the effect of land clearing. Deep rooted native vegetation is able to use most of the rainfall that enters the ground, thereby preventing it reaching the saline water table and displacing salt to the River.

 

Dilution flows

 

To a limited extent, high quality water can be harvested during high river flows and released to the river during periods of high salinity.

 

To find out more about salinity levels in the Murray Darling Basin visit  the Murray Darling Basin Commission website.