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On average about 160,000 ML of stormwater, combined with surface water from the Adelaide Hills, flows through watercourses into Gulf St Vincent.
Actual annual stormwater runoff varies significantly depending on weather patterns and is much higher in a wet year, or as low as 50,000 ML in a drought year.
The biggest challenge in maximising the use of urban stormwater is the availability of space to capture, treat and store large volumes of water. Given current technology and opportunities for use of stormwater, it is estimated that by 2025 we will be able to increase rainwater and stormwater use to about 20,000 ML per annum.
About 90,000 ML of effluent is generated in Adelaide each year, of which about 70,000 ML is discharged into Gulf St Vincent. Every day more than half the fresh water used in Adelaide homes is returned to sewers from toilets, showers and washing machines.
In comparison with stormwater, recycled water is very consistent in quantity and quality but has higher salinity which can limit its use. The nutrients in recycled water can make it ideal for reuse for agricultural and other irrigation purposes as well as in some industrial applications.
It is estimated that the use of recycled water can grow from 14,000 ML in 2002 to more than 30,000 ML per annum by 2025.
Our challenge is to seek out viable opportunities to use stormwater and recycled water, both as a supplement to existing resources and to reduce environmental impacts on Gulf St Vincent.
Key strategies relate to:
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