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Issue: Catchment scale influences - Hydrological condition - Surface-water availability and human use

This is an issue under the Inland waters theme of the Data Reporting System.

Why we need to know about this issue

Water extraction from many river systems is in excess of sustainable yields and pressure on water resources will continue if water is over allocated.

Demand for water supply for urban use is also growing across all sectors. Developing water resources to meet the growing demand presents major challenges because of competition for water and environmental issues. There is also an uncertainty associated with climate change and the potential for decreased yield from existing water supply catchments. As a result, there is considerable potential for conflict over supplying increased urban water demands.

The trend in total urban water use is determined by changes in population, per capita use and uptake of water-efficient technologies.

Indicators

• IW-01 Annual river discharge
   This indicator provides a measure of the difference in total flow volume between current and natural conditions. Changes can have impacts on habitat condition. Nutrient enrichment and reduced river flow due to over-extraction of water have increased the frequency and extent of toxic blue-green algal blooms. Other water quality issues arise from reduced flow and decreased flushing.
  River discharge can also be an indicator of sediment transport capacity. For example, the rivers of north and central Queensland tend to have high sediment transport capacity because of the high seasonal discharges in the summer wet season.
• IW-02 Annual water storage 
  Because of the highly seasonal nature of streamflows and the severity of droughts in Australia, a large number of major reservoirs have been built to ensure a reliable supply of water for uses including drinking water, hydroelectricity, irrigation and recreation. The growth in total water storage has declined significantly since the mid-1980s. This is partly because the most economically efficient sites for water storage have already been developed and because attitudes have changed towards major storages and their potential effects on river flows and floodplain habitats. Nationwide, there has been a growing community resistance to the building of dams because of their effects on the natural environment.
  Storages on rivers can act as barriers to the movement of fish and other species up and down river systems. Storages can also create the potential for cold water pollution from releases of cold water. These are discussed in other indicators.
• IW-03 Surface water used for irrigation 
  The irrigation sector is the greatest user of surface water.
  Unsustainable irrigation development is responsible for the over-allocation of water in many river systems. Current irrigation practices tend to be inefficient, and consequently a large proportion of the water extracted for irrigation is wasted. New irrigation developments have the potential to introduce best practice irrigation management. The water saved by increased efficiencies can either be returned to the environment used to irrigate new areas and increase the productivity of a basin.
  Water can be lost in distribution systems before it reaches an irrigator. Over-irrigation of crops also wastes substantial volumes of water in Australia. Additionally, over-irrigation can also have adverse impacts on agriculture and the environment. The wasted irrigation water not used by the crop can 'leak' into the groundwater, causing water tables to rise, waterlogging of surface soils and land salinisation.
  Changes in quantity water used for irrigation is a direct measure of the pressure of water extraction, the contribution of inland waters to agriculture, and the response to the pressure.
• IW-04 Surface water used for urban/industrial 
  Demand for water supply for urban use is growing across all sectors. Developing water resources to meet the growing demand presents major challenges because of competition for water and environmental issues. There is also an uncertainty associated with climate change and the potential for decreased yield from existing water supply catchments. As a result, there is considerable potential for conflict over supplying increased urban water demands.
  The trend in total urban water use is determined by changes in population, per capita use and uptake of water-efficient technologies. Changes in quantity water used for urban and industrial purposes is a direct measure of the pressure of water extraction, the contribution of inland waters to urban life and industrial activity, and the societal response to the pressure.
• IW-44 Sustainable yield determination 
  The sustainable yield will help determine availability of water for human and other use and the pressures placed on the water resource by human use.
• HS-40 National water consumption 
  Water used by human settlements is derived from surface water and groundwater sources. Extraction of water for human uses impact on the hydrological condition of natural water bodies. Monitoring national water consumption will help monitor pressure on surface water resources.
• HS-41 Water consumption by sector 
  Water used by human settlements are derived from surface water and groundwater sources. Extraction of water for human uses impact on the hydrological condition of natural water bodies.
• HS-42 Water consumption per capita 
  Per capita water consumption is an indicator of the pressure of human demand on surface waters.
• HS-44 Urban stormwater and wastewater reuse 
  Water supply for human settlements is often extracted surface water sources. Increased use of water efficient appliances in households will contribute to reducing the demand for water extracted from these sources.
• HS-46 Usage of water efficient appliances 
  Water supply for human settlements is drawn mostly from surface water bodies. Increased use of water efficient appliances in households will contribute to reducing the demand for water extracted from these water bodies.

Related issues

• Inland Waters - Catchment scale influences- Hydrological condition- Ground-water availability and human use 
• Human Settlements - Pressures created by human settlements on the environment- Water use