Activities which affect our water resources
Water Affecting Activities (WAA), are those activities that can have an impact on the health and condition of water resources, on other water users and on the ecosystems that depend on water resources. These water resources include watercourses, lakes, groundwater, springs, and wetlands, amongst others. Management of water affecting activities is needed to protect our natural systems and water dependent ecosystems, maintain water quality and minimise impacts on other water users.
In South Australia all persons have a general statutory duty under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (the Act) to act reasonably and responsibly in relation to the management of natural resources. This means a permit needs to be obtained from the relevant authority to undertake activities affecting water resources.