Fresh Water in Australia

Most of the fresh water we use in Australia comes from the Murray Darling Basin, Australia’s largest water catchment area. It runs all the way from Queensland down to South Australia, and includes three-quarters of New South Wales and half of Victoria. The Basin covers one-seventh of Australia and contains more than twenty major rivers as well as important underground water systems.

Water from the Murray-Darling Basin is used on 40% of Australia’s agricultural land. One-quarter of our cattle, half of our sheep, half of our cropland and almost three-quarters of our irrigated land depends on the Basin. It also provides fresh water for millions of homes, offices and factories.

Unfortunately the Murray-Darling Basin is showing signs of serious environmental damage, as we use more and more water. Wetlands have dried up, fish and plant populations are getting smaller and the water in its rivers is saltier and more polluted than ever.

Murray-Darling Basin Commission, 2002.

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