Great Artesian Basin

The Great Artesian Basin is a vast underground water reservoir located in Australia, covering about 1.7 million square kilometers. It stores freshwater in permeable rock layers under pressure, allowing water to flow naturally to the surface in some areas, creating artesian wells. This basin is crucial for agriculture, providing irrigation in arid regions, and supporting ecosystems. It also supplies drinking water to many communities. However, over-extraction and land use changes pose risks to its sustainability, highlighting the importance of careful water management.