Why the environment needs water

We all benefit from a healthy environment. The Murray–Darling Basin is home to more than 2 million people and more than 40 First Nations. It supports 120 waterbird species and more than 50 native fish species. It contains internationally protected wetlands and trees that are hundreds of years old.

This environment needs water to be able to support people, plants and animals.

Having enough water means a healthy river system where:

• birds from as far away as the Arctic have a refuge and breeding place
• fish breed and move through the rivers triggered by ebbs and flows
• birds cross the landscape pollinating plants and eating insects
• aquatic plants filter water and keep it clean
• vegetation helps to control erosion
• locals and tourists can enjoy bird watching, fishing, bush walking, camping, swimming and boating.

Over time, our rivers have changed

Natural droughts and the increasing demand for water means a decline in the health of the river system. In some locations we take up to 50% of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural use.

Water used to flow over the landscape with natural high flows in winter and low flows in summer. Now we store water and release it from dams when we need it. This impacts the ecosystem and processes needed for healthy plants and animals.

Less water moving through the system causes problems like:

• increased salinity
• outbreaks of algae
• loss of native animals due to destruction of breeding spots and food sources
• loss of vegetation, like River Red gums and grasses, which affects water quality and native animals looking for food and shelter.