Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges

Please note: if your water application form is lodged after 2pm on 18 June 2021 there is no guarantee that the application will be determined in the 2020-2021 year.

Water licence and permit forms

Download forms for specific prescribed water resources areas from the list below and apply using the instructions on the forms.

To apply for an activity relating to wells, well driller's licences, notations of interest, using effluent or imported water and general meter testing, please use a statewide form.

Find out whether you need to apply for a water licence or permit.

Note that a new licensing regime is now being rolled out in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Prescribed Water Resources Area.

If you have questions about the water licences or permits, please phone the relevant number below.

For water licence enquiries:

• relating to the McLaren Vale PWA, Northern Adelaide Plains PWA or Western Mount Lofty Ranges PWRA - (08) 8463 6876
•  relating to the Barossa PWRA – (08) 8595 2053

For water affecting activity enquiries:

• relating to a dam or watercourse (eg. creating or enlarging a dam; building a structure in a watercourse etc.)  - (08) 8273 9100 
• relating to wells (eg. drilling, backfilling, repairing, replacing etc.) – (08) 8735 1134

Permits and licences are required for the following water resources areas because they are covered by a Water Allocation Plan (WAP). A WAP is a legal document that sets out the rules for managing the take and use of prescribed water resources areas to ensure resource sustainability. Find out more information about what a WAP is and why they are important. 

Barossa

Central Adelaide

Chapmans Creek Intake

Dry Creek

Little Para

McLaren Vale

Further information

• A water use year runs from 1 July to 30 June in the following calendar year. Water allocation transfers must be submitted by close of business 30 June of the required water use year.
• The water allocation transfer application requires information about your well(s). To check your details go to the Groundwater Data System.
• Your application will be assessed against the general principles contained in Section 6 of the water allocation plan. Refer to the explanatory guide to the water allocation plan for more information.
• Find out more about the McLaren Vale water allocation plan.

Middle Beach Intake

Northern Adelaide Plains

Western Mount Lofty Ranges

Please note there are currently restrictions in place for some activities in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges. It is recommended that you contact Water Licensing on 8463 6876 to confirm the current status of these restrictions.

Further information

• Water licences and/or water allocations can be either temporarily or permanently transferred.  All transfer applications must be in accordance with the rules set out in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan.  Find out more information about water trading/transfers within the Western Mount Lofty Ranges.
• A key consideration when lodging an application to transfer groundwater allocation should be the capacity to allow for additional allocations within a groundwater management zone. The transfer of allocation must not result in the extraction limit for the receiving management  zone to be exceeded (or further exceeded). Confirm the demand by viewing the latest map of the Groundwater Management Zone Allocation Status.