New remote drinking water supplies

We have upgraded the existing non-drinking water supplies to safe and clean drinking water in the remote towns Oodnadatta, Marla and Marree.

The pre-existing water networks in these towns were among 19 non-drinking water systems across the state, where water was only provided for irrigation, livestock, laundry, bathing and flushing toilets. Residents in these locations were responsible for sourcing their own drinking water through other methods such as private rainwater storage tanks, water carting or bottled products.

Local customers are no longer required to take these steps, with water quality testing confirming the desalinated water is safe to drink and meets the strict requirements under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

While each new water treatment plant receives raw water from the Great Artesian Basin, the source water quality at each location is different and each facility has been designed and built to reflect the location’s unique conditions.

The three new facilities join our existing network of nine reverse osmosis desalination plants across regional and remote South Australia that turn groundwater into a reliable supply of safe, clean drinking water for the local community.