Many producers may have access to a bore with water too high in salts for use either in the house and garden, or for their stock to consume.

Eddie Parr, NSW Department of Primary Industries leader of irrigation industry development, said some producers may consider desalination, to use their available water most effectively.

“Desal is in its early stages, but we can see it being used as a secure source of water in the future, in the drier parts of the State,” Mr Parr said.

He said reverse osmosis was the form of desalination that was being talked about.

“When bore water (salty solution) is forced through the semi-permeable membrane, the heart of the desal plant, at greater than the osmotic pressure of the membrane, non-salty water results.

“If water is above the recommended levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), for either stock water or domestic water, desalination may be an option,” he said.

Desalination would leave a certain amount of waste product called brine – extra concentrated bore water – which would need to be disposed of properly.

Mr Parr said there were many issues to consider when investigating the technology.

The first two steps are finding a supplier of desalination equipment, and discussing individual situations and plans.

“Get a water test done. This test will need to be extensive, to determine the TDS, as well as the breakdown of the salts present in your water.”

The major market is Victoria, with Queensland coming on strongly and demand for units ahead of supply.

Contact Eddie Parr, Orange, (02) 6391 3151.