Water

Find out about the Stormwater Protection Project or the River Torrens.

Water is the basis for life and is one of our most precious resources, particularly as South Australia is the driest state on the driest inhabited continent. Unfortunately this hasn't prevented us from having one of the highest per capita water usage rates in the developed world and polluting our waterways with litter.

Surface water, or stormwater, ends up in our rivers and creeks. Pollution finds its way into our waterways through the stormwater system and comes from road runoff, sediment runoff from construction sites, general litter and leaf litter. Irregular outbreaks of blue green algae in the River Torrens is another major issue directly related to pollution entering our waterways, particularly organic nutrients, which creates ideal conditions for algal blooms.

Waterways within the City of Adelaide receive intense flows due to the highly urbanised environment and extensive impermeable surfaces of the metropolitan area. These flows cause increased erosion problems and sediment inflows. Weeds and deciduous leaf fall are also problematic in our local water ways and have a negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem of the City.

Highlights

Council has become a more efficient user of water resources by implementing a central control irrigation system for the city's Park Lands. Measures have also been taken which require sporting licence holders using River Torrens water to abide by the same water conservation measures implemented by SA Water for mains water.

The installation of 8 Gross Pollutant Traps (GPT) to intercept rubbish and other pollutants coming from North Adelaide and the City Centre has greatly reduced the level of pollutants entering Torrens Lake. In addition to the GPT's, the Torrens Lake Cleansing Team was created in 2004 to collect litter and debris from Torrens Lake and the surrounding area. The value of this team was clearly demonstrated after heavy rains in November, 2005 when 295 tonnes of debris was removed from Torrens Lake by the team.

A Mechanical De-stratification and Aeration System has been installed in Torrens Lake in partnership with the Torrens Catchment Water Management Board (now Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board). This system improves water quality by improving oxygen levels in the Lake.

The Adelaide City Council also has numerous educational programs underway to inform and educate the local community about protecting our waterways. The 'Stormwater Pollution Prevention Project', the 'Litter Reduction Project' and the 'Say No to Plastic Bags' program all aim to improve our aquatic environments. Working with the business community, residents and within Council the aim of these projects is to reduce all sources of litter within the City of Adelaide while specifically targeting stormwater pollutants.

» More information about the Glenelg to Adelaide Pipeline Project

Self-Assessment

River Joggers The self assessment forms below have been developed as a tool for you to review your businesses environmental performance. The questions are designed to help you identify aspects of your business that could be adversely impacting on the environment.

By submitting answers you will instantly receive a score out of ten along with some feedback on your environmental performance. For more information on measures that can be implemented to mitigate environmental impacts of your business please contact the Adelaide City Council on 8203 7203 and ask for a Environmental Project Officer.

» Stormwater Management
» Water Use and Wastewater Management

Water Conservation Incentive Scheme

Water is becoming an increasingly precious resource and to help improve efficiency in our use of water Adelaide City Council has implemented the Water Conservation Incentive Scheme.

» More Information

Torrens Replanting Program 2009

The Torrens replanting trials commenced in 2004 and aimed to determine a planting method that could be utilised to re-establish the submerged plant cover lost in the 1997 Lake dredging. The project is a joint venture between the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board (NRM board) and Council and builds on the recommendations of the Torrens Taskforce.

Torrens Revegetation - Swan Guard In February 2009, while the water level was low, over 800 locally indigenous sedges (Juncus subsecundus, Juncus kraussii and Eleocharis acuta) were planted along the northern sections of the Torrens Lake.

Throughout June 2009, a staged mass planting of indigenous submerged aquatic plants will be undertaken in the Lake area adjacent to Pinky Flat. The plantings will consist of a mix of shallow growing, locally indigenous species—curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), water milfoil (Myriophyllum crispatum) and nardoo (Marsilea drummondii)— and deeper water species like eel grass (Vallisneria spiralis).

The 2004 planting trials established that Australian Black Swans graze on the plants, which therefore need to be protected by floating swan guards for approximately 12 months. Once established, the Black Swans will keep the plants under control, creating a natural balance.

Adelaide City Stormwater Protection Project

The project employs two officers to assist and educate the business and residential community in understanding and complying with all aspects of environmental management, particularly the Environment Protection Authority codes of practice on “Stormwater Pollution Prevention”. This will be in the form of site visits, newspaper articles, workshops/seminars, fact sheets, and other various avenues of information distribution.

More information on the Stormwater Protection Project