A company which supplies desalination systems says a lack of support from SA Water is denying three South Australian towns better quality water.
Melbourne-based F Cubed wants to build desalination plants at Ceduna, Hawker and Orroroo, using solar technology.
Chief executive Peter Johnstone says councils support the plans as the towns get substandard water.
“Ceduna, for example, they’ve been in this situation for 20 years and they’re paying the regular rate for potable water and the water’s not potable and Orroroo and Hawker … the situation is getting worse because they’re using bore water and the bore water is becoming saltier,” he said.
“The councils have been talking to SA Water, talking to us and they’re just getting stymied,” he said.
Ceduna mayor Alan Suter says SA Water has been unhelpful.
“I’d have to say that SA Water have been incredibly unhelpful, in fact I believe they seem to have gone out of their way not to support what I believe is a very sensible proposal that would help water supply on Eyre Peninsula quite considerably,” he said.
SA Water says it is not opposed to dealing with third parties but it needs a written business case outlining how a company will meet safeguards and none has been submitted by F Cubed.
