Woodcroft family has spent an unexpected $1300 to refill empty rainwater tanks as drought continues

A southern suburbs family has had to fork out a huge amount to fill rainwater tanks due to the ongoing drought.

A Woodcroft family has been forced to fork out more than $1300 to refill rainwater tanks with tap water after their dam dried up during the prolonged drought.

Megan and Jason Loffler, who live on Pine Rd with their teenage children Annabelle, 18, and William, 15, are not connected to mains water and rely entirely on rainwater to run their household.

“We’ve run out of water twice,” Mrs Loffler said.

“The first time we paid about $650 to fill our three tanks, and then a month or so later we’d run out again and paid about $700 to get just two tanks filled.”

It’s the first time since moving to the property more than seven years ago they’ve had to factor in the cost of water.

“I think it came as a bit of a shock since we haven’t had a water bill in such a long time,” she said.

“It’s been a bit of a stretch financially … having to find that money quickly.”

Megan, Will, Bel, and Jason Loffler at their Woodcroft home. Picture: Matt Loxton

Their story is one of many from households across South Australia struggling to keep up with the dry.

The Department for Environment and Water initiated emergency paid water collection points this year because of the drought with more than 400 customers using the service that has distributed more than 445,000lt.

Some of these points will begin closing from Saturday, May 17 with the Woodside location to remain open for now.

At the Lofflers’ home, the dam, once home to yabbies and turtles, has been reduced to a cracked, dusty shell.

“The cracks and gaps are so big it’d be easy for the dogs’ legs to get caught.”

The ongoing dry spell has left their creek empty and rainwater tanks dry. Picture: Matt Loxton

Among the dry earth, the family stumbled across something unexpected.

“We were certainly surprised to find a small hoard of golf balls,” Mrs Loffler said.

“Our neighbour knocks a few around his property, but we didn’t realise how many had snuck over the fence.”

Despite the “real and shocking” experience there has been a silver lining.

“We have more firewood than ever,” Mrs Loffler laughed.

“Which will come in handy when winter hits.”

And with a few blades of green finally reappearing after last week’s rain, Mrs Loffler said, “I’m hoping it’s coming soon.”

“We have more firewood than ever,” Mrs Loffler laughed. Picture: Supplied

Their story reflects a broader challenge gripping the state, with an online survey revealing farmers have halved sheep numbers to cope with one of the harshest droughts in living memory.

Despite the dry conditions, SA Water says metropolitan Adelaide’s supply remains secure, with 2024–25 demand at 168 gigalitres — the second-highest since 2000.

Originally published as Woodcroft family has spent an unexpected $1300 to refill empty rainwater tanks as drought continues