STATE water prices have risen five times faster than inflation in the past 12 years, with claims from former SA Essential Services Commission head Paul Kerin that the state government had artificially inflated costs.
Many landholders said the sharp jump had impacted substantially on livestock profitability, as well as the value of their land.
Opposition water spokesperson Michelle Lesink said SA water bills were the highest in the nation.
"The latest CPI data confirms that in the past 12 years water prices have risen 236 per cent despite inflation only being 41pc during the time," she said.
This substantial rise had led to a state parliamentary inquiry into water prices.
The Essential Services Commission of SA received submissions from SA landowners, with a report expected to be tabled before the end of the year.
This coincided with another parliamentary inquiry regarding claims by former ESCOSA head, and former agricultural agronomist Paul Kerin that the state government had artificially inflated water prices.
That inquiry will continue into next year.
Dr Kerin claimed that SA Water assets had been overvalued, leading to inflated charges.
He said the assets had conservatively been overvalued by $2 billion, which had led to water consumers paying an extra $150 million a year.
The increased price has eaten into grazier profits.
Among those who contributed to Livestock SA's requests for submissions was David Catford, who lives between Gladstone, Crystal Brook and Georgetown.
Mr Catford, who ran a mixed farming enterprise with beef cattle, sheep and broadacre cropping, said he was shocked when he saw the figures in front of him.
"I realised water prices had gone up but I didn't realised how much," he said.
"It has definitely gone up three or four times in the past five years."
He said a reliance on mains water to supply his livestock had created tension.
He said the price increase was another input outlay that could not be passed on to consumers, which meant less money for capital costs.
"It's about tightening the belt but you are left wondering how much more you can tighten it," he said.
"It hasn't driven us to the wall but I wouldn't like to see another rise."
Mr Catford said if Dr Kerin's claims were correct it would be quite "scandalous".
"I'm not looking for special treatment but like anyone else I expect a fair go," he said.