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Theme 1: Water & Catchments
Topic: Groundwater
While the majority of South Australians source their water from surface water resources, groundwater is still a vital resource in some parts of the State. Groundwater supplies approximately 65% of all irrigation demand in South Australia.
About groundwater
Groundwater is by far the world's largest source of fresh water. It is estimated that the amount of groundwater is 400 times greater than all the surface water in lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers. Groundwater is part of the water cycle. When precipitation falls on land, some water evaporates, some flows to streams and rivers, and some seeps into the soil and is absorbed by plant roots.
Excess water in the soil may percolate further down until it reaches a level known as the water table where all the pores or openings in the soil or rock are saturated with water. Water in this saturated zone below the water table is called groundwater.
Most of the spring and mineral water supplies are obtained from groundwater resources of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Soft-drink and beer manufacturers pump high quality water from the deep Tertiary aquifer beneath Adelaide. Groundwater is also pumped for industrial applications and for irrigation of recreational and sports fields throughout the metropolitan area. Irrigation for horticultural production was undertaken early in Adelaide's development and still operates in regions around Adelaide.
Threats to groundwater
Urban and rural communities literally live above their groundwater resources, therefore it is important to recognise that waste disposal and land and water use, may adversely affect groundwater resources.
Apart from salinity, pollution also affects groundwater quality. Potential sources of pollution include microbiological contaminants from sewage and effluent, heavy metals, petroleum fuels and solvents, nutrients (phosphates and nitrogen) salt and detergents. Herbicides can pollute shallow groundwater systems if not managed correctly and high nitrate levels may result from concentrated livestock excretion and the use of nitrogenous fertilisers and nitrogen-fixing plants. Inappropriate land use management and activity is often a significant cause of pollution.
Groundwater is a significant part of the environment and needs to be managed and cared for in the same way that it is important to plant trees, not to light fires on total fire ban day and to dispose of rubbish properly.
Student Activity Ideas
- Pollution solutions: Create a list of the land uses in your local area. How may these uses impact on groundwater. For each use, research some strategies to manage the impacts these uses may have on the groundwater system.
- Conduct a classroom debate on the effects of building a large dam for storage of factory waste water.
- Make a class model of what you think your local groundwater system looks like.
- Visit a groundwater dependent ecosystem. Discuss what would happen to this ecosystem if several bores were to be drilled and used extensively in the area nearby.
- Suspend different kinds of rock, soil and sediment over a container to see how water seeps through different kinds of ground material. Is the water that seeped through cleaner or dirtier than before? Why might this be?
Enquiry Learning
- How does water make its way under the ground?
- Why does groundwater play such an important role in agriculture, commerce, industry, watering of gardens and recreational facilities, and for drinking among others?
- Just because groundwater is hidden away underground it can still be polluted. What are some ways that the quality of groundwater can be adversely effected?
- Why is it important to manage our groundwater resources and how can this be done successfully?
Internet Resources
Type Description Resources Covering the Topic Easy
- 'Groundwater' Fact Sheet.
- Primary Industries and Resources Fact Sheet covering the main groundwater concepts.
SA Government PIRSA
www.pir.sa.gov.au/pages/
agriculture/agfactsheets/
soilwaterland/grdwater.pdf
- What is groundwater?
- Covering of the major issues with diagrams.
- Pollution, salinity, land degradation.
WA Government Water and Rivers Commission
www.wrc.wa.gov.au/public/
waterfacts/8_groundwater/
index.html
- Downloadable groundwater poster with information and sketches.
US Geological Survey
water.usgs.gov/outreach/poster4/
Poster4.htmlMore Comprehensive
- Groundwater Resources in South Australia.
SA Government Department of Water Resources
www.dwr.sa.gov.au/water/
groundwater/index.html
- 'Managing Groundwater Use' Fact Sheet.
- Comprehensive summary of issues with diagrams, photos and land management issues.
WA Government Water and Rivers Commission
www.wrc.wa.gov.au/public/
waterfacts/11_groundwater_use/
Water_facts11.pdf
- What is groundwater?
- Covering of the major issues with diagrams.
WA Government Water and Rivers Commission
www.wrc.wa.gov.au/public/
waterfacts/8_groundwater/
index.html
- Groundwater.
- Comprehensive summaries of groundwater issues in NSW.
EPA NSW
www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/
soe2000/cw/cw_5.4.htm
- Groundwater quality.
- Comprehensive summaries of groundwater issues in NSW.
EPA NSW
www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/
soe2000/cw/cw_5.7.htmActivities
Band Activity Contact Primary and Middle Years
- Groundwater interactive.
- Informative with lots of South Australian case studies to look at.
KESAB Patawalonga and Torrens Waterwatch
www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/
interactive/groundwater/index.htm
- Aquifer in a cup - classroom activity to demonstrate how an aquifer works.
USA EPA
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/kids/cup.pdfWho Can Help?
Organisation Who Can Help? The Centre for Groundwater Studies Centre for Groundwater Studies Catchment Water Management Boards Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): North Adelaide & Barossa
Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): Onkaparinga
Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): Torrens
Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): Patawalonga
Community Action:
Local Action Planning CommitteesCatchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): River Murray Mount Lofty Ranges Watershed Protection Office Mount Lofty Ranges Watershed Protection Office Waterwatch SA Waterwatch: Broughton Wakefield
Waterwatch: KESAB Patawalonga & Torrens
Waterwatch: North Adelaide & Barossa
Waterwatch: River Murray (Upper)
