Australia is characterized by rich groundwater Australia is characterized by rich groundwater resources, which are the main reservoirs of resources, which are the main reservoirs of

water collected in Artesian basins. The surface water collected in Artesian basins. The surface of these basins is one third of Australia. of these basins is one third of Australia.

Groundwater is at a depth of 30 to 1000 m. Groundwater is at a depth of 30 to 1000 m. The largest groundwater resource of the The largest groundwater resource of the

country is the area of the Great Artesian Basin, country is the area of the Great Artesian Basin, lying in the central-eastern part of the country. lying in the central-eastern part of the country.

Large groundwater resources are also in the Large groundwater resources are also in the north of the country: Fitzroy, Ord-Victoria and north of the country: Fitzroy, Ord-Victoria and

York.York.

A system of artificial water reservois was built on the A system of artificial water reservois was built on the border of states of New South Wales and Victoria, on the border of states of New South Wales and Victoria, on the

river Murray and its mountain tributaries for water retention river Murray and its mountain tributaries for water retention and hydropower needs. Artificial lake with Hume Weir dam and hydropower needs. Artificial lake with Hume Weir dam

is economically used by two cities: Albury in New South is economically used by two cities: Albury in New South Wales and Wodonga in Victoria. In Australia, there are 70 Wales and Wodonga in Victoria. In Australia, there are 70 reservoirs with a capacity exceeding 100 million / m³ and reservoirs with a capacity exceeding 100 million / m³ and

12 of the larger area. The oldest dam in Australia is Lower, 12 of the larger area. The oldest dam in Australia is Lower, having a height of 18 m.having a height of 18 m.