The Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) has a commitment in the national interest to managing the health of the River Murray and floodplain environment by mitigating both decreases in river water quality and associated environmental degradation caused by irrigation activities. The SA Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) receives financial support from the MDBC to address these issues in South Australia. Recently Mines and Energy SA (MESA) undertook a hydrogeological study for DENR to assess the potential salt load impacts and drainage hazard caused by new irrigation developments. Type groundwater models were constructed for the Loxton-Parilla Sands and Murray Group Limestone watertable aquifers. The model results are being used as a reference from which transient and steady state salt returns to the River Murray and the drainage hazard impacts at the development site can be estimated. The method involves comparing known hydrogeological and geographical parameters for a proposed irrigation development with those assumed in the type models.