Water Quality

River Murray Data  (Click here for current data)

Observation for 9 June 2009 

Despite the rain, low evaporation and low irrigation water draw, the strong but not extreme W to SW winds this week-end have driven saline, non potable, lake water up past Wellington (see data.rivermurray sa.gov.au, Wellington Ferry, Plot).

This is about the sixth time this has happened since March.

This event also produced marked increases in salinity in the waters off Pt McLeay/ Narrung as more saline Channel water intruded into Lake Alexandrina.

Have never seen any mention by the various authorities of this problem but surely they must be worried about the various pipeline intakes in the Tailem Bend area and possibly further upstream.

Ian Rowan

Guidelines:

Using conductivity alone to classify water is not precise but below is a general guideline issued by the SAMDBNRM.

• • 0-800 Same as rain and tap water

  • 800-2700 Healthy level for aquatic invertebrates and plants

  • 2700-5300 Maximum drinkable level for livestock

  • 5300-10,000 Some freshwater animals and plants will die

  • 10,000 Most freshwater animals will die