Clare vineyards at risk from water cost

The Clare Region Wine Grapegrowers Association says growers are abandoning their vineyards because high water costs are limiting their ability to make a profit. Current peak water costs for Clare growers are nearly $3,000 per megalitre, which is nearly three times more than in the Barossa Valley. Association president John Bastian said SA Water had also increased transport charges for off-peak water by almost 20 per cent. He said most growers could not afford the rise and had few alternatives remaining, reports ABC News.