This week in federal Parliament, Independent MP for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie raised her concern with the dire situation in South Australia where many Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, and Kangaroo Island residents are running out or have exhausted their water supplies.

With 2024 annual rainfalls at near or record lows in many parts of the electorate, Strathalbyn received 68 per cent of its average rainfall, Cape Willoughby 62 per cent and Gumeracha just 59 percent.

Ms Sharkie says farmers are hurting and households not connected to mains water are struggling to get water delivered.  

'Water carters have advised that domestic demand for water has reduced the water pressure across the system and what usually takes around half an hour to fill a tanker is now taking one and a half hours, extending delivery times.

'This is a critical issue requiring an urgent fix. It is incomprehensible that in the year 2025 we have houses running out of water.'

'My office is in contact with the office of the South Australian Minister for Water and I'm pleased there is a mutual desire to fix this issue.'

On Kangaroo Island PIRSA convened a water meeting on Tuesday11 February, attended by government agencies and local groups.

Mayor Michael Pengilly reported that the Middle River Dam is at around 60 per cent capacity, which is above the average for this time of year.

“There are no plans to introduce water rationing, as the desalination plant continues to ensure a reliable supply of potable water for Kangaroo Island" he says.

"We are seeing increasing demand for stock water as dry weather continues, and many dams are drying up. Evaporation levels are high, which is putting additional strain on farmers.”

Meanwhile Finniss MP and state Shadow Minister for Water Infrastructure David Basham says many households have resorted to using a back-up water tank reserved to protect their properties against bushfires.

“This is an incredibly precarious situation for those forced to use emergency water supplies, leaving their homes at greater risk in the event of a fire.

“We have previously used milk tankers to support getting water to households quickly, but the only solution offered up by the Water Minister is to put your name on a list.

“It’s simply not good enough, having water in your home is a basic living standard that we expect in South Australia.

“In May 2022, the Government declared a Climate Emergency. What have they done in the last two years to prepare for the water shortages caused by the lack of rainfall?

“The Minister is telling us to prepare for the next 20 to 30 years, but South Australians can’t wait and need practical action now.”