Funding confirmed for water reliability in Iga Warta

14 May 2024

The Australian Government has confirmed $190,000 toward the Iga Warta Water Security project in South Australia on Adnyamathanha Country in the northern Flinders Ranges. The project will provide the Iga Warta Homeland Community with infrastructure to improve water source reliability and safety.

The new and enhanced infrastructure will also reduce pressure on the Community’s drinking water sources in hot and dry conditions.

Iga Warta relies on rainfall for drinking water and on groundwater for other uses. Currently, the sole bore water source is contaminated by regular bacterial outbreaks. When outbreaks occur, rainwater is required to supplement other domestic water uses. When this rainwater runs out, purchasing and transporting water is needed.

Frome River on Mount Serle, a property owned and managed by the community who manage Iga Warta. Image credit: Simone Stewart, South Australian Department of Environment and Water
Frome River on Mount Serle, a property owned and managed by the community who manage Iga Warta. Image credit: Simone Stewart, South Australian Department of Environment and Water.

The project includes:

  • construction of an additional bore to provide an alternative water supply
  • fixing and improving (remediating) the existing bore
  • a new 250,000 litre storage tank and water treatment system
  • a new monitoring system to identify infrastructure damage and leaks.

Benefits include:

  • improved water safety and security for the remote Homeland
  • reduced barriers to staying on Country because of more certain access to drinking water
  • economic and environmental opportunities like re-establishing native revegetation and horticulture.

The South Australian Government has also contributed $150,000 toward the project. Australian Government funding ($190,000) is provided through the National Water Grid Fund. This project supports the Australian Government commitment to Closing the Gap on water security.

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