Murray-Darling Basin 101

Clean, safe water is important for human health. People living in and around the Murray-Darling Basin rely on water from the rivers, streams and groundwater for drinking and for household use.

Good-quality water supports communities in other ways too. Businesses such as cafes, restaurants and retail stores, and schools and universities all use water as part of daily life. Locals and tourists also enjoy the rivers for recreational activities such as swimming and fishing.

Without clean, safe water, communities suffer. People's health can be at risk if tap water is not safe to drink and use. Poor water quality also affects the environment, and when waterways become unsafe for recreational use, tourism declines. This affects businesses and the local economy.

Almost half of all Australian farms are in the Murray-Darling Basin. Each year, they grow around $22 billion worth of food and other products, which are supplied to Australians and the rest of the world. This value is important to Australia’s economy.

To supply this food and fibre, many of these farms rely on irrigation. Irrigated crops need access to a lot of water to grow crops, and healthy river systems are an important part of ensuring irrigation water is available for farming.

Many towns and communities in the Basin rely on income from farming. Without good quality water for irrigation and other industries, jobs, business and communities will be at risk.

The Murray-Darling Basin is home to more than 50 different First Nations. First Nations people have lived in the Basin for more than 60,000 years and have a special connection to its waterways.

Water is an important part of First Nations culture. It maintains a connection with Country and is essential to identity and well-being.

First Nations people rely on water to carry out cultural traditions such as fishing, hunting, ceremonies and harvesting plants. There are also many sacred and culturally significant sites in the Basin.

Without enough water flowing through these areas, people can lose their connection to Country. Cultural sites degrade, and First Nations people cannot carry out traditional activities.

Lack of water also means food sources become scarce, which puts First Nations communities at risk.

Many unique plant and animal species live in the Murray-Darling Basin including:

• 120 water bird species
• more than 50 native fish species
• 16 internationally recognised wetlands.

Some of these plants and animals aren't found anywhere else in the world. The plants, animals and wetlands of the Basin need water to survive.

Although it spans a large area, the Basin is a connected system. When parts of the system run out of water, the whole ecosystem is at risk.

Forest and wetland ecosystems help to keep the river system healthy. Tree and plant roots stabilise riverbanks, reducing erosion, while wetlands improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients. This all helps to protect fish and aquatic life.

Without enough water, algal blooms and salt concentrations increase. Wetlands dry out and perish. When their habitats dry out, animals become stressed, stop breeding and even die.

When the environment doesn't get enough water, this affects the communities and industries that rely on Basin water. Increased salt levels in the water can make it unsafe for drinking and watering crops. Algal blooms can also be harmful to human health, as well as plants and animals.