Despite limited water quality data, a hydrogeological investigation indicated that the region to the south of Loxton was the most favourable for a demonstration site. Through a more detailed investigation of this region and discussion with SARDI (Darren Graetz), the One Basin Loxton Hub manager Kym Walton, and a regional driller, it became clear that Century Orchards would be a good candidate. 

Century Orchards consists of 700 hectares of almonds and 100 hectares of pistachios, 7 km east of Loxton (see map), in the Riverland of South Australia. Their almonds are hulled and shelled at Riverland Almonds Hulling (previously Laragon Pty Ltd) and are then processed at Riverland Almonds and Nut Producers Australia. 

The potential benefits of developing a demonstration site at Century Orchards include: 

• The opportunity to work alongside industry improves the relevance of the project, for example, by exploring cost-effectiveness under drought conditions. 
• The site would enable demonstration of a reinjection case study (as opposed to the more common evaporation basin method). 
• The site already has two deep (130 m) operational bores, expediting the planning of the demonstration site and reducing costs.  
• Up-to-date and reliable bore data indicating the existing bores have high yields. 
• The availability of water quality and quantity data reduced the risks associated with the site. 

The site is not without challenges, however. It was determined early on that an electricity grid connection would not be viable given the distance from the closest poles and wires, and further water quality analysis discovered that the salinity of the source water was slightly higher than anticipated. These challenges were considered manageable, and after fruitful discussions with Century Orchards, a decision was taken to proceed with the site. 

We are extremely grateful to Century Orchards, especially Brendan Sidhu (CEO) and Gemma Nunn (Technical Manager) for their willingness to collaborate. They have gone above-and-beyond in terms of their contribution to this project: time in discussion, providing site access, provision of equipment (tanks, pumps, generators), financial support (e.g., for hydraulic and electrical services to establish the site) and readiness for future visitors on-site. We are grateful for their openness, patience and extensive assistance in establishing the site, and look forward to sharing it with visitors once it is operational.