Water Security
Water security is a key issue facing regional producers and landholders. In particular, for local graziers who rely on dam water for their livestock and don’t have access to mains water. On-farm water security is therefore a ‘project priority’ for BIGG.
BIGG has investigated various on-farm water security solutions for the region including, lined catchments, de-salination plants, improving property layout for reticulated water, sinking bores and fencing off watercourses for biodiversity.
Projects:
BIGG has received on-farm water security support from:
- Northern and Yorke Landscape Board: 2020-21
- Australian Government’s National Landcare Program (Smart Farms grant): 2021-23
- SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board: 2025-26
Lined Catchment Project – May 2026
In partnership with landholder Leon Deans, the BIGG Lined Catchment project demonstrates how lined catchments can be effectively integrated within existing farm infrastructure to improve water security. Located in Flaxman Valley, Leon installed a 1-hectare poly-lined catchment, feeding directly into an existing dam, to maximise water capture during rainfall events.
A video (link below) demonstrates step‑by‑step how BIGG constructed the lined catchment from site preparation through to final installation. Supporting Fact Sheets further outline the construction and government approval processes.
This project is supported by funding from the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, and the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board via the Landscape Priorities Fund.
Report: Planning Farm Water Supplies – April 2022
As part of BIGGs Smart Farms grant, PIRSA produced an extensive report for BIGG, covering the various water supply, capture, storage, reticulation, and monitoring options to consider on-farm. The report also includes various case studies.
Case Studies
Sinking Bores in the Barossa
Can sinking a bore solve your stock water issues?
Farm revegetation delivers numerous benefits
Poonawatta landholder Andrew Holt shares his experience.
Desalination of groundwater for improved water supply
An outline of the desalination process, including two on-farm case studies.
BIGG's Water Planning Workshop - April 2021
What are the options and strategies you need to consider to help make your property ‘water secure’?
These were examined at a BIGG workshop, featuring PIRSA Officers, Mary-Anne Young and Brian Hughes and BIGG Technical Facilitator, Janie Evans.
Water supply, capture, storage, distribution and monitoring options for your property
Brian Hughes & Mary-Anne Young, PIRSA
Water requirement spreadsheet
Mary-Anne Young
Water Infrastructure Audit
Mary-Anne Young
Barossa New Water Project update
Janie Evans, Technical Facilitator, BIGG (presented on behalf of business advisory firm, KBR)
Barossa New Water Project comparison
Brian Hughes, Soils Consultant, PIRSA
BIGG's Water Catchment Workshop - September 2021
This workshop showcased how rainwater can be successfully harvested using an on-farm lined catchment. It featured representatives from the Coorong region, Tracey Stugnell and Mark Scobie (who have been at the forefront of this innovation), and local PIRSA soils expert Brian Hughes.
The Coorong Water Security Story
Tracey Strugnell, Coorong and Tatiara District Councils and Coorong Tatiara Local Action Plan
Lined Catchment Construction
Mark Scobie, Orlunda Downs (Coorong Farmer)
Lined Catchment Learnings
Tracey Strugnell & Mark Scobie
Innovative Water Harvest and Storage Solutions
Brian Hughes, PIRSA
Barossa New Water Project
- Round 1 Map- Barossa Valley-
Final Barossa Valley Map – Round 1 Demand Locations - Round 1 Map- Eden Valley-
Final Eden Valley Map – Round 1 Demand Locations - Round 2 EOI Form
BNW Round 2 Letter of Intent form – FINAL – 3 Feb 2022