Several projects that will improve water security for First Nations communities across South communities are complete or underway as part of a joint commitment between the Federal Government through the National Water Grid Fund and the State Government.

The construction of two new bores and monitoring systems and the installation of two new water storage tanks with capacity totalling 290,000 litres has been completed at the Iga Warta Homeland.

This means safer and more reliable water for locals on the Iga Warta Homeland in the Flinders Ranges. The project is already realising further flow-on benefits, including opportunities for local tourism and re-establishing native vegetation and horticulture. These benefits are proving to be life-changing for this community.

Previously, the sole bore water source was contaminated by regular bacterial outbreaks. When outbreaks occurred, rainwater would be required to supplement other water uses. When this supply ran out, purchasing and transporting water was needed.

A joint $10.2 million investment will deliver new or upgraded water infrastructure in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands communities of Amata, Kalka, Kaltjiti (Fregon), Mimili, Pipalyatjara, Pukatja (Ernabella), Umuwa and Yunyarinyi (Kenmore Park) that will ensure a continued reliable supply of safe, clean drinking water.

Work will include locating, drilling and equipping new bores used to directly supply groundwater to the region’s small-scale desalination or ultraviolet water treatment facilities in the region, along with rehabilitation work on 3 existing sites.

In addition, new monitoring wells will be located and drilled to help SA Water measure underground water levels over time, ensuring the region’s vital groundwater supplies remain secure into the future to help maintain public health and hydration, along with sustaining growth and development opportunities in the APY Lands.

These assessments will involve using specialist local knowledge from Traditional Owners and hydrological research to pinpoint possible groundwater basins that are not currently used as drinking water sources.

A third project, with joint investment of $2.3 million for better water security in Iwantja (Indulkana), is underway and on track for completion in the first half of 2026.

This project in the APY Lands will improve the community’s water security by providing additional bores and associated infrastructure. Bores capable of providing water for community use have been identified during the project’s investigative stage.

A further project will help secure critical water needs of three remote First Nation communities located in the Flinders Ranges – Leigh Creek Station, Kakalpurannha and Yappala – and includes further works related to drinking water supply for the community at Iga Warta.

SA Water manages the supply of safe and clean drinking water and wastewater systems in 22 remote communities located on Aboriginal lands in South Australia.

This includes the operation and maintenance of 5 groundwater desalination plants in the APY Lands, supplying a combined total of up to 35 million litres of safe and clean drinking water each year to local homes and businesses.

These announcements come after the State Cabinet visited to the APY Lands for a Country Cabinet meeting this week.