WATER allocations are expected to open at 82 per cent for SA irrigators in the 2021-22 water year.
While the official figures will be announced on June 15, Environment and Water Minister said the projections were looking much more positive than at this time last year, when forecasts were tipped for a 2pc opening.
"To have a projected minimum water allocation of 82pc for the upcoming water year is encouraging news for SA's irrigators and will give them some business confidence," he said.
"Given this strong starting position and the forecast climate outlook, there is an excellent chance we will be starting the 2021-22 water year on 100pc."
Mr Speirs said the SA government was committed to ensuring the state's irrigators received the "best available information" about projected minimum opening allocations, which was why this advice was given as early as possible.
He said that was also behind this week's launch of the SA River Murray Water Calculator, designed to help with decision-making.
"This Calculator has two main features - firstly there is a Personal Water Calculator to help you better understand how much water you could have under different circumstances to plan for the season ahead," he said.
"Secondly, it includes a State Water Calculator to help irrigators better understand how the water available to SA is shared."
Late last year, an independent review was commissioned into the state's River Murray allocation announcement process.
"The independent reviewers consulted irrigator groups and found that the current allocation announcement process was working well," Mr Speirs said.
"This once again shows SA is leading the way when it comes to water management."
With the projected minimum opening allocation being greater than 50pc, the carryover trigger for 2021-22 has not been met.
This means that any water volumes rolled over from a previous year will no longer be available as outlined in the Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse.
- Details: For more information about these projections, or to access the new Water Calculator visit the Department for Environment and Water's website.