WA’s next major water source reaches project milestone

• Largest water pipeline ever made in WA being laid in Perth’s northern suburbs 
• Part of major project to deliver State’s third seawater desalination plant at Alkimos 
• Each 12-metre pipeline section made with WA materials, by local workers 
• Project key to supporting future water supply to millions of Western Australians

The largest steel water main pipeline ever made in Western Australia is now being laid as part of the next step in the Cook Labor Government’s $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP).   

Manufactured in Kwinana, the 1.6 metre-diameter pipes will form the majority of a 33.5 kilometre underground trunk main from ASDP to Water Corporation’s Wanneroo Reservoir. 

Each 12m section of pipe weighs nearly nine tonne, is made from Pilbara iron ore and Cockburn cement and is expected to last around 120 years. 

More than 700 sections have already arrived on site, with a further 2,300 required to finish the pipeline.

Previously, such large diameter pipes were manufactured in Victoria and trucked across the Nullarbor. 

However, a $58 million Water Corporation contract with Kwinana-based Steel Mains in 2022 brought this capability to WA - supporting local manufacturing and local jobs. 

The pipeline is being constructed by the Alkimos Pipeline Alliance, comprising Water Corporation, Georgiou Group and DM Civil.

It’s route, which is expected to be complete by 2027, has been carefully selected in consultation with local stakeholders to minimise environmental and community impacts. 

Once up and running, the ASDP will deliver an initial 50 billion litres of water, allowing Water Corporation to reduce groundwater abstraction by 30 billion litres a year,

The project will also create more than 1,500 jobs and inject $1.1 billion into the WA economy, including $65 million in contracts awarded to Aboriginal businesses.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Don Punch:

“This is another key milestone for one of the most critical infrastructure and engineering projects in WA over the last decade. 

“Made locally with WA materials and by WA workers, the pipeline and the wider ASDP project are integral to the State’s future water security.

“The plant will supply around 50 billion litres of water to around 2.5 million people and has been designed to allow for expansion in the future.

“This project highlights how the Cook Government is securing our future water supply in the face of climate change and reduced rainfall while diversifying our economy by making more things here.

“And while desalination is vital to the State’s water security, it remains important that we continue to use water wisely for future generations.”

Comments attributed to Butler MLA Lorna Clarke:

“I am so pleased to see the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant reaching its next construction milestone. 

"As a mum, I am invested in securing clean drinking water for our kids and grandkids.

“This amazing infrastructure project is vital not just for the families that live here in the suburbs of Alkimos and Eglinton but also for the whole of WA.
 
“I am proud to support this great Cook Government initiative that is creating jobs and helping to secure our State’s water future.”