The impact of the drought in South Australia is continuing to be laid bare, with the latest data showing Adelaide's reservoirs continue to drop to historic lows. As Queensland experiences record-breaking floods, some residents here are still waiting weeks to receive water and are fearful they may run out.
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00:00Gary Payne has spent his whole life in the Adelaide Hills and has never seen it this dry.
00:08We normally don't have to panic in this area having so-called reliable rainfall but this year it's proven it all wrong.
00:15The third generation farmer is relying on the last dam on his Harrogate property.
00:21Mr Payne says he's contemplating emergency water carting but says it's a four week wait.
00:27At times I feel pretty depressed saying what the hell are we doing here having to slog away feeding cattle all the time.
00:34Closer to Adelaide the drought is also depleting water supply.
00:38A report tabled in Parliament shows the lowest water inflows in 40 years have resulted in the city's reservoirs dropping to their lowest levels in more than two decades.
00:50They're at 38% of full capacity right now, same day last year it was 50%.
00:56So we know towards the end of summer that we will see the reservoirs drop but this is worryingly low.
01:02It prompted the government to ramp up production at the Lonsdale desalination plant in January, a move that's never been needed until this year.
01:11Make no mistake, in ordinary people's terms this is a drought.
01:16It's hoped the increased production along with ongoing supply from the River Murray will prevent the need for water restrictions.
01:23And despite parts of Queensland and northern SA being inundated with water, it's unlikely any will come Adelaide's way.
01:31I don't want to get it too skimpy but I'm still proud to say I'm hanging in there.
01:38The Premier has met with farmers and industry representatives with the state government under increasing pressure to do more for the struggling agriculture sector as the drought drags on.
01:48The opposition leader is expected to meet with similar groups on Friday.