Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Rounding up the Wild Wells of the South East
A team of experienced drillers is making its way around the south east of South Australia on a mission to replace, repair or abandon 120 'wild wells'.
The 'wild wells' are actually old or poorly constructed and leaking wells that are losing large quantities of 30,000-year-old water from the confined groundwater aquifer.
So far the team has tackled 80 of the 120 wild wells in the Kingston-Greenways-Lucindale area and the remainder will be completed within three years.
George MacKenzie, Senior Technical Officer with the SA Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) said while the amount of water leaked from these wells is hard to quantify, they do know the leakage will increase over the years as the condition of the well casings continues to deteriorate.
Funding
The South East Confined Aquifer Well Rehabilitation Scheme is providing financial and technical support to landholders for rehabilitation of leaky wells that are typical in the region. It is a $5.5 million project over nine years, supported by the National Landcare Programme, as well as State Investment funds, with landowners meeting 70 per cent of the replacement cost.
This work has been supported by the creation of successful demonstration sites across the region trialling a variety of pasture mixes to determine which ones are the best suited to the highly alkaline soils and winter waterlogged conditions. The Australian Government Envirofund provided more than $10,300 for the project, which also received significant industry sponsorship and landowner support over three years.
Activities
Former Senior Project Officer for the DWLBC Joy Cunneen said the demonstration sites were created because many of the well owners are not only replacing their wells but upgrading their surface irrigation systems by levelling and re-sowing their pastures.
"It was clear that in order to effectively support the farmers taking part in the scheme we needed to conduct trials looking at new pasture varieties and alternatives that may increase productivity and water use efficiency," Joy said.
Achievements
"The trials ran over a three year period, covering a total area of 60 hectares. Because they were conducted on a commercial scale, farmers were able to get a realistic view of the results, which have been very positive. Following the success of the project, the trials were expanded to 33 sites across the region.
"There was a field day held each year, which were attended by over 300 participants over the three years. Essentially the trial sites helped farmers learn from farmers and also receive expert advice from industry representatives."
More information
- George MacKenzie, SA Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Senior Technical Officer: (08) 8762 1511 or mackenzie.george@saugov.sa.gov.au
- Primary Industries Resources SA
- Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation
- South East NRM Board
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