Coping with Elevated Salt Levels in Groundwater

A Practical Guide for Bore Owners, Farmers & Land Managers

❓ Why is My Groundwater Salty?

Common causes:

• Natural geology (salt-bearing rock formations)

• Over-pumping (drawing in deeper or coastal saline water)

• Irrigation return flows (salts leached from soils)

• Land clearing (rising water tables mobilising salt)

🧪 How Salty is Too Salty?

Measurement	TDS (mg/L)	EC (µS/cm)	Suitability
Fresh	< 500	< 800	Safe for most uses
Slightly saline	500–1,500	800–2,400	Limited use, check application
Moderately saline	1,500–3,000	2,400–4,800	Problematic for crops/livestock
Highly saline	> 3,000	> 4,800	Unsuitable without treatment

📌 Tip: Use a lab test or EC meter. Retest seasonally or after major changes.

✅ What Can You Do?

✔ Know Your Water

• Test regularly (EC and TDS).

• Map changes over time to detect trends.

✔ Match Water to Use

• Irrigation: Use salt-tolerant crops & efficient methods (e.g. drip).

• Livestock: Sheep tolerate higher salinity than dairy cows.

• Domestic: Avoid use in drinking, cooking, hot water systems.

✔ Blend Water Sources

• Mix groundwater with rainwater or low-TDS bore water to reduce salt levels.

✔ Manage Extraction

• Reduce pumping volume.

• Rest your bore to allow fresh water to recover.

• Consider managed aquifer recharge with cleaner water.

✔ Use Desalination (if viable)

• Reverse Osmosis: Effective but costly. Suitable for small domestic or high-value agricultural use.

• Plan for brine waste disposal.

✔ Improve Soil & Land Management

• Apply gypsum or compost to help soils cope with salt.

• Avoid over-irrigation.

• Use strategic deep-rooted planting to lower water tables.

🌿 Long-Term Solutions

• Replant native vegetation in recharge zones.

• Coordinate land use with neighbours.

• Seek professional hydrogeological advice for large systems.

• Advocate for shared infrastructure (e.g. desal plants, recharge basins).

🧭 Summary

Action	Impact
Regular water testing	Tracks problems early
Adjusting water use	Prevents salt damage to assets/crops
Blending or treating water	Improves usability
Soil & crop management	Minimises salinity impact on land
Long-term land planning	Supports aquifer health