It is recommending South Australia go ahead with a proposal to build a weir in the Lower Murray and adapt pumps so that water can be reached from lower levels. Wetlands have already been allowed to dry up and the report says eight more will have to go without environmental flows to save evaporation.  The governments of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia are being asked to agree to the plan.

The report warns that the economic impact of water restrictions will be substantial.  It asks each government to protect the Murray-Darling Basin Commission from any costs incurred, after it was revealed this week that farmers will be given no allocations if there is no substantial rain soon.

Virtually empty

Professor Peter Cullen from Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists says there is only 40 days of supply left in Adelaide's water reservoirs.  "Historically we've never seen anything like this and this is the second year that we've had it," he said.  "I mean last year was the lowest flows to the Murray on record and I don't think any of us thought that we'd have one as low as that again.  "This one could be as low as last year again so the system is virtually empty."

Professor Cullen has suggested water under the Adelaide plains could provide an alternative supplies if the drought persists.  He says it would be a better option than building a weir at Wellington, near the Murray mouth, which could cause salinity problems.

The SA Government maintains there is still only a 5 per cent possibility of the weir being built.

Professor Cullen says groundwater from the Adelaide plains should be used more efficiently.  "I think Adelaide should be looking at a desalination plant and I really do think that you've got quite a good groundwater resource on the Adelaide plains and it's perhaps absolutely critical that you start regarding that as a potential source of water for Adelaide and stop using it just on race courses and golf courses," he said.

Source:  ABC Online