In the early part of the twentieth century huge numbers of artesian bores were drilled to tap the water of the artesian basin, resulting in a peak discharge of 2055 megalitres per day in 1914. Queensland is by far the greatest user of artesian water. Current recharge of the basin is estimated to be 3500 megalitres per day. The outflow from these bores resulted in a lowering of the water table. The South Australian Government implemented a bore rehabilitation program in the 1980s to cap wild flowing bores, and decrease wastage of water. Pastoralists are now encouraged to manage their water resources more efficiently.
 
The Government drilled many bores along the Birdsville Track in the early 20th century to assist the movement of stock south from Queensland to Marree. Bores such as Koperamanna, Canuwakaninna, Mt. Gason and Mirra Mitta still flow.
 
Pastoralist traditionally dug drains for up to 20 kilometres away from Bores to water cattle. Whilst this method is still used, it is considered wasteful, only 20% of the water is utilised. Many pastoralists are now using black polythene pipe to distribute water. Most agricultural usage of the artesian basin is rangeland cattle grazing.
 
The largest single user of Artesian water is Western Mining Corporation. From two major borefields in the region south east of Lake Eyre water is pumped to the Olympic Dam project to be used in their metallurgical plant extracting Uranium, Copper, Silver, Gold and other metals from an ore body said to have at least 80 years of life at today’s extraction rate. The water is desalinated to supply the modern town of Roxby Downs. 
Purni Bore in the Simpson Desert was first drilled as a stratigraphic well by the French Petroleum Company in 1964. When oil exploration activities ceased in the early 1980s the bore was left to flow wild, and created an artificial wetland. Over 80 species of birds have been recorded there. Land management decided to cap the bore, but lobbying from environmentalists resulted in a compromise where the flow was minimised and the wetland environment continues to provide an oasis for desert species. One argument against free flowing bores is that they encourage water hungry feral animals, as the majority of native species do not require so much water.