Southern Seawater Desalination Project
Next major water source for Western Australia
WA Premier Alan Carpenter announced on 15 May 2007 that a new desalination plant to be built near Binningup in the Shire of Harvey will be the next major water source for WA.
Since 2001, the south of Western Australia has been subject to severe drought conditions. Average flow into Perth’s metropolitan dams has dropped significantly while increasing growth across the State has meant demand for water continues to increase. In response to these changing conditions the Water Corporation is developing a range of options to supply water for Western Australia.
Desalination is a climate independent water source and is a key part of the Corporation’s plan to ensure a secure water supply for Western Australia. In April 2007 the Corporation achieved an important milestone with the opening of the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant, which is now delivering 17 per cent of the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS).
The Water Corporation identified Binningup as the site of the new desalination plant following investigations of the coastal strip from Jurien Bay to Bunbury. The Binningup site, at Taranto Road, which is also home to a wastewater treatment plant, was identified as the best location based on a range of social, environmental, technical and economic factors. View the Site Alternatives Report, July 2007, which provides more information on the site selection process.
The Water Corporation has reached in principle agreement to purchase a 44-hectare block adjoining the eastern boundary of its coast front land at Taranto Road. This land was formerly a limestone quarry. This land is about one kilometre inland from the ocean and its location will provide the Corporation with much greater flexibility to manage the environmental and social impacts of the plant.
Desalination Visual
Click on the link below to view the water journey from the ocean to the tap at the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant.
About the project
The Southern Seawater Desalination Plant will produce around 50 gigalitres of drinking water per year, with the potential to increase to 100 gigalitres.
Construction work is expected to commence in 2009 and the new plant will begin operation in 2011. Construction and operation of the plant will have minimal impact on the environment, and stringent monitoring will be undertaken to help minimise any impacts.
Currently there are two consortia is a competitive bidding process for the design, construction and operation of the desalination plant for 25 years. The submissions from the consortia close on 29 August 2008 and an announcement of the winning consortia is expected in November 2008. Whilst unfortunately a detailed design of the plant site will not be available until the successful consortia announcement, an indicative site layout map has been released and can be viewed below.
To ensure effective and efficient distribution of water from this new source, a pump station needs to be built at Ravenswood. The station will pump up to 120 million litres of water daily from the Stirling Trunk Main to the Tamworth Reservoir, and 160 million litres of water each day to Serpentine or North Dandalup Dam via a new, connecting pipeline.
During 2008 we will continue to seek input from stakeholders, local and State environmental and community groups, local businesses and community members. If you would like more information or would like to join our mailing list email desalination@watercorporation.com.au or contact us on 1800 810 075.
Potential Site Layout Map
As part of the Development Application process a map was created to help understand where the infrastructure for the desalination plant might go on the site. The orange section of the map outlines where the plant will be built. This area was chosen with the aim of leaving as much environmentally sensitive habitat of the site as untouched as possible. The drawings of the process buildings and pipeline are simply an estimation of where the infrastructure might go as the design will need to fit inside the parameters we have set. It is likely there will be LESS buildings than what is indicated on the map, but any design will have to stick to the footprint of the orange area. Any areas in the orange section that do not have plant infrastructure in the final design will be rehabilitated after construction. We will not know the full design until the successful The map also outlines other sections of the plant site - Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about this map - 1800 810 075
