$1.64 Billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant Set for Perth, Commencement on the Horizon

Western Australia is facing a critical need for a new water source due to a decline in rainfall and a burgeoning population. To meet this pressing demand, the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant emerges as a beacon of hope, set to become the state’s next major water source. At its full capacity, this visionary project aims to deliver a staggering 100 billion litres of clean, potable water annually, catering to the needs of millions of Western Australians. The initial phase of constructing a 50 billion litres per year plant is already in motion, representing a crucial step towards addressing the imminent water shortfall.

Scope of the Project
The scope of the Alkimos desalination plant is extensive and comprehensive:

• A 50 billion litres per year desalination facility within the Alkimos Water Precinct, with potential expansion to an additional 50 billion litres per year in the future.
• Implementation of an ocean intake pipeline beneath the seabed to procure seawater for the plant’s operations.
• Installation of an ocean discharge pipeline below the seabed to safely manage brine discharge from the facility.
• Development of a 33.5-kilometre pipeline to transport the produced drinking water to the Wanneroo Reservoir, an integral part of Perth’s Integrated Water Supply Scheme.
• Creation of built-up, vegetated sand dunes on the western side of the Alkimos Water Precinct, strategically designed to minimise visual and noise impacts from the plant.
• Provision for a 4.9 billion litres per year groundwater treatment plant and local bores.

Location and Community Engagement
The chosen site for the plant lies within the Alkimos Water Precinct, between Marmion Avenue and the coastline, an area where Water Corporation already operates a wastewater treatment facility. Community engagement has been pivotal in this project’s development, with extensive consultations conducted in 2018 garnering significant support from locals and the broader Perth community for desalination as an independent water source in Alkimos.

Continuous efforts to engage with the community have led to refining construction methods and precinct designs, striving to minimise disruptions. Regular updates are provided via various channels, including face-to-face events, an online platform, and a Community Reference Panel, facilitating ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and local residents.

Environmental Stewardship and Aboriginal Heritage
Extensive environmental research has been undertaken to mitigate the project’s impact. Measures include tunneling ocean pipelines underground to safeguard dunes and marine ecosystems, minimising construction footprints, and substantial revegetation within the Alkimos Water Precinct. Furthermore, steps are being taken to compensate for unavoidable vegetation clearing by acquiring land with at least double the environmental value of impacted areas.

Respecting and preserving Aboriginal heritage is a priority, evident in the completion of an Aboriginal heritage survey and the progression of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan. The engagement with the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation underscores the commitment to collaborative engagement, ensuring Traditional Owner participation in various project aspects, including planning, procurement, employment, and heritage preservation.

The Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant stands not only as a solution to Western Australia’s impending water shortfall but also as a testament to responsible development, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship. As this transformative infrastructure project progresses, it holds the promise of securing a sustainable and resilient water future for Western Australians. For regular updates and insights into this monumental initiative, stay tuned to our updates and engagement channels.