- Works progressing on Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant to support Western Australia's growing population
- Construction milestone with tunnel boring machines assembled
- Advanced technology used to minimise disturbance to dunes, beach and marine environment
- Cook Labor Government committed to supporting growing communities across WA
The Cook Labor Government is supporting Western Australia's growing population with works progressing on its $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP), providing a sustainable supply of water that is Made in WA.
Water Corporation will begin building marine tunnels with two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that are more than four metres in diameter and longer than a football field.
The advanced TBM technology is designed to tunnel up to 13 metres below the seabed, excavating rock, sands and clay while at the same time installing concrete tunnel segments.
These machines are also quieter and cause fewer vibrations than traditional tunnelling methods, helping protect marine ecosystems.
They will undertake an 18-month journey below the seabed to construct a 2.5-kilometre intake pipeline and a separate four-kilometre outfall pipeline, each of which will be sized to allow for future expansion.
ASDP's first 50 billion-litre stage will supply drinking water to more than 2.5 million people and reduce pressure on climate-impacted groundwater sources.
Local industry will play a significant role in the plant's conveyance pipeline, with 32,000 concrete segments produced in Midland for the plant's tunnel lining and Kwinana-made steel cement-lined pipes to be used in the plant's construction.
Construction of the ASDP will create more than 1,500 jobs and inject $1.1 billion into the WA economy, ensuring an ongoing and sustainable water supply for the State's growing population.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Western Australia's economy is the strongest in the nation - which means our State's population is also the fastest growing in the nation, too.
"That's why my government is working to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live in WA, can enjoy a high standard of services and infrastructure, which includes a sustainable supply of water.
"By building the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant, my government is showing how water that's Made in WA can create jobs as well as cater for our State's growing population."
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
"Here at Alkimos, seawater from the Indian Ocean will be turned into safe, clean drinking water and used to help supply more than 2.5 million Western Australians.
"Once operational, the plant will produce an initial 50 billion litres of drinking water each year, allowing Water Corporation to reduce annual groundwater abstraction by 30 billion litres, protecting vital wetlands, parks, and lakes.
"ASDP is a key part of helping secure our future water supply in the face of climate change and its impacts to rainfall.
"While it's no secret that desalination is fundamental to water security in WA, it remains important that people do not get complacent when it comes to being waterwise.
"With large parts of southern WA experiencing some of the driest years on record, it's up to everyone to make sure we use water, our most precious natural resource, as responsibly as possible."
