The rapid expansion of the metropolitan area in the past war years has caused large areas of land, particularly in the western suburbs, to be sub-divided for housing. This land had previously been used for market gardening, and these activities were transferred to other districts where good quality groundwater was obtainable in close proximity to the metropolitan area. In these areas of the northern Adelaide Plains where the groundwater was of suitable quality for vegetable growing, land which had previously been used for cereal cropping and grazing was broken up into relatively small holdings each equipped with a bore or bores. Water quality and soil conditions not being everywhere suitable for general market gardening caused relatively close settlement in the more favourable areas, resulting in high bore densities in these areas. Initially groundwater consumption for each holding was relatively small, but in the past three or four years there has been a tendency towards potato growing and lucerne irrigation, both of which necessitate greater pumping rates over longer periods than the glass house tomatoes and other vegetables. Consequently groundwater consumption has increased steadily over the last ten years, and at this stage there are in excess of three thousand bores in the area. Recognising the need for a complete appraisal of the area the Department has conducted preliminary surveys to gather information on the nature of the basin sediments and the various aquifers which contain the pressure waters. Several reports on specific localities have been prepared since the initial survey by K.R. Miles in 1952, but to date no report incorporating the area as a whole has been issued. A programme of water level observations, similar to these carried out in the metropolitan area has been undertaken since 1953, the number of bores observed being steadily increased since the inception. Consequently water level behaviour can be closely studied over the last ten years, and the effects of the increased groundwater utilization on water levels is particularly apparent. This report is intended as a brief appraisal of the investigations to date, with an assessment of the effects of the greatly increasing groundwater consumption and the possible danges associated therein. A reiteration of previous investigators conclusions is unavoidable as the problems associated with the area have been realised for many years.