WATER access entitlement holders along the River Murray have had their allocations increased for the second time this month.
Above average rainfall and inflows into a number of key operational storages allowed allocations to jump from 52 per cent to 89pc.
Some of SA’s water stored under the Storage Right started to spill from Lake Victoria, and was regulated and allocated to metropolitan Adelaide and country areas, freeing up the equivalent amount of water to be reallocated to irrigation and other uses.
Water and the River Murray Minister Ian Hunter said it was great that water allocations have been able to increase quicker than previously forecast.
“It’s an excellent result for irrigators, with the recent good rains now providing greater water access to support their crops for national and international markets,” he said.
“The state government is very pleased with the positive allocation outlook thanks to wetter conditions.
This follows the opening allocation announcement on June 30 of 36 pc and access to private carryover, after NSW, Vic and SA had low inflows due to below average rainfall.
Water resource availability will continue to be closely monitored by Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and water allocation updates will be provided through the River Murray Flow Report.
