First seawater intake for expanded desal plant

Today saw the first intake of seawater into the second stage of the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (SSDP), marking a major milestone in commissioning the WA Government’s $450 million expansion project.

Premier Colin Barnett and Water Minister Bill Marmion were on site to activate the flow of seawater into the facility, which will eventually be treated and delivered to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme as drinking water.

“Today we’ve taken another step closer to drought-proofing Perth,” the Premier said.

“When the expanded plant is fully operational we will have the capacity to provide about half of Perth’s water needs via climate-independent desalination.”

The Liberal National Government made the decision in August 2011 to double the capacity of the SSDP to 100 billion litres of drinking water a year. Another 45 billion litres is available from Perth’s Seawater Desalination Plant.

“In Western Australia’s changing climate, the supply and security of desalination has proved invaluable,” Marmion said.

“Without desalination, Perth would have been subject to severe sprinkler bans, as occurred on the east coast, and almost total reliance on groundwater sources.”

Delivery of four large water pumps to the expansion project from Germany is expected in the coming days, which will significantly improve the long-term efficiency of the plant.

The new pumps will be installed and then tested in March and the first drinking water will be delivered to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme shortly afterwards.