A new $370 million seawater desalination plant will be built to supply drinking water for the West Pilbara region, the West Australian government has announced.
The state cabinet, which met in the Pilbara mining town of Karratha on Monday, has also endorsed investigations to expand the Yule borefield to supplement the Hedland water supply scheme in the East Pilbara.
Premier Colin Barnett said the new desalination plant for the West Pilbara would be commissioned in three years.
“Today’s announcement will add a further six billion litres of water a year to support residential and small commercial growth in Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham and Port Samson,” he said.
Water Minister Graham Jacobs said the further six billion litres would be needed for the West Pilbara supply scheme by 2015.
“The only option that would deliver a major new water source in the timeframe required was a seawater desalination plant, and it has the advantage of being climate independent,” he said.
WA’s Water Corporation will manage the development of the new desalination project.
