Australia's driest state forced to buy water

The water minister of Australia’s driest state says it has been forced to buy water to secure critical supplies for 2009 as the ongoing drought has dried up its reserves.

South Australia Water Security Minister Karlene Maywald said today that the state has secured 201 gigalitres (53bn gallons) of water to ensure that Adelaide, the capital, would have water even in a worst-case scenario of continuing drought.

Ms Maywald told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio the state is “being prudent,” getting into the market and buying water to make sure there is enough of it.

Water in Adelaide’s storage containers and reservoirs has dropped 8% over the past year and a sixth summer of drought is forecast.