Opportunities and challenges identifying, sourcing and treating brackish groundwater

This project seeks to improve understanding of the potential use of brackish water within the Murray-Darling Basin. There is ~80,000GL of brackish water in aquifers in the basin and ~2000 GL that can be sustainably extracted per annum. Arguably, brackish groundwater has a significant role to play due to plausible factors such as future reduction in surface water flows, a continued shifts towards high-value crops and ongoing technological developments. However, there has been relatively little investment in understanding potential opportunities and challenges associated with this water source from economic, social and environmental viewpoints. 

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About this project

This project aims to improve insight into the nature and scale of the opportunity associated with brackish groundwater in South Australia, to identify pathways that enable diversification of irrigated water sources, and assess any potential negative consequences and associated mitigating measures.

The project has four objectives:

• Objective 1. To develop a working prototype of an online resource and cost calculator for a range of water-user profiles to assess the viability of using marginal quality groundwater for irrigation and other consumptive purposes.

• Objective 2. To identify and scope a pilot case study that investigated the technical feasibility, economic viability, and the environmental sustainability of using brackish groundwater. A demonstration site is being established at an almond orchard close to Loxton.

• Objective 3. To synthesise information on brine disposal options associated with enhanced use of brackish groundwater. This report will be targeted at desalination end users.

• Objective 4. To identify future research, training, and commercialisation priorities to support the sustainable use of marginal groundwater in the Murray-Darling Basin. This includes the utilisation of brackish groundwater, and other alternative water sources such as municipal and industrial wastewater.

Outcomes

The expected outcomes of the project are a pilot demonstration of reverse osmosis with aquifer reinjection and an online tool for evaluating the utilisation of brackish water. Additional reporting will summarise case studies, brine disposal options and future outlook for investment. Together these outputs will assist in supporting investment decisions associated with the utilisation of brackish groundwater resources.