Groundwater in Darwin rural area
Most rural residents in the Northern Territory (NT) access groundwater for their everyday water supply through their bore.
Underground water systems in the rural area determine what water your bore can access.
There are 11 groundwater systems in the Darwin rural water control district PDF (1.4 MB).
These systems rely on the wet season rainfall to refill each year.
This means if a wet season is below average, users may need to be careful with their water. The aim is to ensure there is enough water for everyone to get through the following dry season.
To find out about some of the key groundwater systems, view the interactive story on Darwin rural groundwater systems.
Groundwater levels
The groundwater systems that underlie the Darwin rural area are called 'fill and spill'.
Each year, they typically fill up and then start overflowing. This causes the rivers and streams to run during the wet season, and at times, localised flooding in some areas.
Understanding and tracking groundwater levels
Hydrographs provide a picture of how the water table changes over time.
They show the changes in depth from the ground's surface to the water table.
View the hydrographs on Darwin Rural Groundwater Watch interactive map.
These hydrographs are updated at the end of each month.
Why manage water use
Territorians are the highest water users in Australia.
Across the Territory, about two thirds of water is used on gardens. Read about this statistic on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
Water resources are limited, and how much water you use today can affect others who depend on it in the future.
That means everyone must work together to reduce their water use.
Contacts
If you have any questions, contact your local Water Resources office.