Time to reflect on lessons of drought

Goyder Institute for Water Research director Michele Ackeroyd said research from across the world showed rainfall in SA would decline next century.

"We're generally seeing a decline in rainfall, which will mean Goyder's Line will drift south," she said.

"It's not just a straight drift, there will be some anomalies."

Dr Ackeroyd said this was expected in the next 100 years, which provided ample time to prepare to reduce its impact.

"Where we were 100 years ago to where we can be in another 100 years is big," she said.

She was speaking at the University of Adelaide's public forum about the biggest risks to the state's water supply, and ideas to combat these together with other leaders in the water field.

Dr Ackeroyd pointed to Port Augusta horticulture operation Sundrop, which has used solar energy to desalinate salt water, as an example of ways technology could lessen the impact on environment.

"We do have plenty of water, it's just not the right quality," she said.

She said to raise the quality of water involved an energy cost, which was where solar improvements came in.

Adelaide University School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering senior lecturer Seth Westra said talking about drought as a temporary phenomenon, with an eventual end-point, had its downsides.

He said what we considered drought could be a long-term shift in climate, and impact local communities.

The university's Environment Institute executive director Mike Young said reviews of drought policy had warned providing assistance could lessen a community's urgency to plan or prepare for drought.

"Our political system rewards politicians that come in and help communities," he said.

"It is very hard to deny assistance or provide assistance in ways that improve preparedness.

"We're trying to find ways to encourage transformation."

Global Food Studies associate Prof Sarah Wheeler said people were already making changes.

"Viticultural growers recognise that certain varieties won't be able to grow in certain areas and were buying land in different areas," she said.

Prof Wheeler said people were looking to buy more water entitlements, or upgrade their infrastructure, to be water-efficient.

Dr Ackeroyd said it could be difficult to sustain a high level of response after drought but added that was when most work could be done.

"The periods where there isn't a stress on the system are a good time to reflect on lessons learnt," she said.