- Halfway mark reached for largest diameter water pipeline made in Western Australia
- 1600 sections of WA-manufactured steel pipe up to 12 metres long have been laid
- Part of the trunk main to connect future desalination plant at Alkimos
- Project part of Cook Labor Government's commitment to securing WA's water future
Half of one of the largest water pipelines built in Western Australia has now been laid, marking a major milestone in the Cook Labor Government's $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant project.
More than 17 kilometres equivalent to the distance between Perth's CBD and Rottnest Island of the 33.5km underground trunk main has been constructed and will link to Water Corporation's Wanneroo Reservoir.
With an internal diameter of 1.6 metres, it is one of the largest water pipelines ever built in the State and has been designed to accommodate future expansion of the plant.
Manufactured locally by Steel Mains in Kwinana, the steel, cement-lined pipe is made using Pilbara iron ore and Cockburn cement and has an operational lifespan of about 120 years.
To date, nearly 1,600 pipe sections, ranging from 6 to 12 metres in length, have been installed, with each 12-metre section weighing close to nine tonnes.
Supporting more than 1500 jobs, the $2.8 billion project will become WA's next major water source, initially supplying 50 billion litres per year as the State's third seawater desalination plant.
The trunk main will connect the plant via Carabooda Tank, the future Nowergup Tank and Wanneroo Reservoir to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme, which supplies more than 2.5 million people.
Its large diameter reduces the energy required to pump water, lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 21 per cent compared to a smaller pipeline.
The trunk main is being delivered by the Alkimos Pipeline Alliance, comprising Water Corporation, Georgiou Group and DM Civil.
Due for completion next year, the route has been carefully planned in consultation with local stakeholders to minimise environmental and community impacts.
For more information on the project, visit the Water Corporation website: watercorporation.com.au/alkimostowanneroo
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This pipeline is the perfect example of my government's Made in WA plan.
"Not only will it be built with products and materials sourced from local businesses, it will also be a key part of our Alkimos desalination plant, which when built will support hundreds of jobs while supplying households and businesses a year with water that is Made in WA.
"It's part of my government's continuing delivery of quality infrastructure to support all Western Australians."
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
"This milestone marks the halfway point in delivering one of the largest water pipelines built in WA and is a critical step in securing our State's water future.
"It is a critical part of the $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant project that will strengthen the resilience of our water network as demand grows and our climate continues to change.
"Built using WA materials, this project is supporting local manufacturing, creating hundreds of jobs, and contributing to our Made in WA agenda.
"The Cook Labor Government is investing $2.7 billion next financial year to ensure Western Australians continue to have access to safe, reliable and sustainable water supplies for the long term."
As stated by Butler MLA Lorna Clarke:
"This pipeline is helping to create more local jobs across Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep while supporting WA manufacturing and strengthening our workforce for the future.
"By backing local jobs and delivering critical water infrastructure from Alkimos to the Upper Great Southern, this project is helping secure supply and economic growth across the state."
As stated by Wanneroo MLA Sabine Winton:
"Spanning the City of Wanneroo, this is a flagship project for the northern suburbs and for Western Australia. It will deliver lasting benefits for our growing community.
"I thank local residents and businesses for their patience and support as these important works continue."
