Australia's salinity problem
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2001
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What is salinity?
Salinity is the word used to describe the salt content of soil or water. When this salt content is excessive it degrades water quality and land productivity. Soluble salts are often found in water and soil but usually not in sufficient concentrations to affect plant and animal survival.
Salinity increases are usually caused by a rise in the level of underground water-tables bringing naturally occurring salt to the surface. This concentrates salt and affects the environment dependent on that soil and water.
There are two distinct types of salinity:
- dryland salinity
- irrigation salinity
Dryland salinity is caused when the rising water-table brings natural salts in the soil to the surface. The salt remains in the soil and becomes progressively concentrated as the water evaporates or is used by plants. One of the main causes for rising water-tables is the removal of deep rooted plants, perennial trees, shrubs and grasses and their replacement by annual crops and pastures that do not use as much water.
Irrigation salinity occurs when irrigation water soaks through the soil area where the plant roots grow, adding to the existing water. The additional irrigation water causes the underground water-table to rise, bringing salt to the surface. When the irrigated area dries and the underground water-table recedes, salt is left on the surface soil. Each time the area is irrigated this salinity process is repeated.
Both dryland and irrigation salinity can increase the amounts of dissolved salt entering adjoining rivers and streams. The manipulation of rivers, dams and lakes can also increase waterway salinity by changing natural surface water and groundwater flows.
How is salinity affecting Australia?
- More than $130 million of agricultural production is lost annually from salinity
- More than $6 million is spent every year on building maintenance related to salinity in South Australia
- Salinity causes $9 million damage annually to roads and highways in south-west New South Wales
- The area of salt affected land in Western Australia is increasing at a rate of one football field per hour
- If salinity is not effectively managed within 20 years, the salt content in Adelaide’s drinking water may exceed World Health Organisation standards for desirable drinking water in two of every five days
- Increased salinity could cause the extinction of approximately 450 species of native flora and 250 species of invertebrate water fauna in the Western Australian wheat belt
How will the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality help overcome salinity?
There are many approaches to tackling Australia’s salinity problem, but no single solution can be applied everywhere.
The Commonwealth, State and Territory governments have therefore adopted a National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality to tackle salinity problems. The governments of Australia have committed $1.4 billion over seven years to support action by communities and land managers in highly affected catchments.
People in 21 priority regions will be helped to develop regional plans to control salinity and improve water quality. Regional plans will include measures appropriate for the local area and national objectives. Governments will invest in the plans to help communities achieve tangible results.
Governments and communities need to work together to protect Australia’s unique environment and the future health of our natural resources. All Australians benefit from environmental, social and economic improvements by collectively tackling salinity and declining water quality.
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