Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme upgrade

What is happening?

We plan to upgrade the existing Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme to:

• ensure the continued safe operation and maintenance of the scheme
• enable the addition of a new customer

What is the scope of works proposed through this project?

The proposed changes to the scheme include new infrastructure and upgrades to electrical supply assets.

The proposed works include:

• a minor jetty extension.
• additional pumps at the jetty location to upgrade the pump station.
• duplication of a small section of the seawater supply main to improve operational safety.
• additional seawater storage located at the existing seawater supply tank site.
• addition of new customer connection points.
• upgrade of electrical supply and distribution assets.

View enlarged map

 Planned works associated with the Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme upgrade.

Planned early works 

To enable the upgrade to progress to schedule, Water Corporation has recently completed the following early works:

• Sinking portions of the aboveground powerline from the Yara Fertiliser Plant to the seawater supply tank,
• Installation of customer supply and return points on the pipeline,
• Installation of commissioning valves at the seawater pump station, brine tank site and the seawater supply tank site, and
• Realignment of a section of pipe located near the existing pig receival station.

When will these works be completed?

The early works commenced in April 2023 and were completed in October. The major upgrade works will commence once all approvals are obtained. 

Environmental approvals

Water Corporation is seeking approval to complete the scheme upgrade works under both State (Environmental Protection Act 1986) and Commonwealth (Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) environmental approval processes.  The Burrup Seawater Supply Scheme currently operates under State Government Ministerial Statements (MS) 567 and 594, which allows for the abstraction of seawater and the disposal of up to 208 ML/day of industrial and domestic waste and brine. 

We have completed marine modelling and environmental investigations, noise modelling and an Aboriginal Heritage Survey. Specific environmental studies undertaken have included a flora and fauna survey, benthic and habitat assessments (sea floor studies), marina fauna desktop assessment, dye tracer study and dispersion modelling, noise and air modelling and contamination studies. These will support our referrals for environmental approval.

Consultation with Traditional Owners has continued through Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to ensure the works associated with the scheme are not going to impact known heritage sites. In the event of a previously unidentified heritage item being uncovered during works, all work will stop, and relevant procedures followed. An Indigenous Engagement Strategy has been developed for this project, which outlines our commitment to relationship building and participation opportunities for Aboriginal people.