Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme

A key priority is to achieve growth in agricultural industries through increased access to water resources.

The South Australian Government is acting to grow the capacity of the Northern Adelaide Plains region to ensure the long-term viability of its horticulture industry and the social and economic future of its communities.

Through the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS), the government will be able to help secure large volumes of affordable, high security, recycled water for the region.

An additional 12 gigalitres (GL) per year of recycled water suitable for irrigation will be sourced from the Bolivar Waste Water Treatment Plant, increasing the reuse of treated water from this site by 60 per cent.

Government investment

The South Australian Government is investing $110 million in the NAIS project through SA Water, with $45.6 million to construct the infrastructure secured through the Australian Government's National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.

The combined investment of $155.6 million will be used to:

  • upgrade infrastructure at the Bolivar Waste Water Treatment Plant to produce an additional 12 GL per year of recycled water suitable for irrigation
  • build core recycled water distribution infrastructure to the area north of the Gawler River
  • enable a major new irrigation area to be constructed, including modern, high-value intensive food production.

This scheme will:

  • transform the region into the national leader in intensive, high-tech food production
  • support existing industry to expand and become more competitive
  • drive employment growth and attract new skills and talent into South Australia.

New water infrastructure for the Barossa

PIRSA is working with stakeholders to progress plans to deliver new water infrastructure to the Barossa to support sustainable agricultural production across the region.

Read more about water to the Barossa

More information

For regular updates and to register your interest in the NAIS contact SA Water.

Page last reviewed: 12 Jul 2022

 


Top of page