The Western Australian Government‘s next major infrastructure project, the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant, has marked a significant milestone in delivery: the commencement of the WA-manufactured Alkimos to Wanneroo desalination pipeline project.
This major infrastructure project, part of a $2.8 billion program to secure the State’s future drinking water supply, will be key in transferring more than 50 billion litres of water per year from the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP).
“The $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant is my Government’s next major infrastructure project, and critical to meet the needs of WA’s growing population and set our state up for the long-term,” Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said.
The 33.5-kilometre underground pipeline will run from Alkimos to Wanneroo. There, desalinated water will be added to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS), supplying drinking water to more than 2.5 million people across the State.
At 1.6 metres in diameter, it is the largest water pipeline ever constructed by Water Corporation and is sized for the current and future stages of ASDP.
The larger-diameter pipe has been designed to improve energy efficiency by reducing pumping requirements, resulting in a 21 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions compared to smaller pipes.
Each 12-metre section of the 1.6-metre-wide pipe weighs around nine tonnes and is expected to last around 120 years.
For the first time, extra-large steel pipes are being manufactured in Western Australia. In 2022, Steel Mains was awarded a $58 million contract, which facilitated the expansion of the company’s Kwinana plant.
“The start of the Alkimos to Wanneroo desalination pipeline is a major step forward in securing a sustainable water supply for 2.5 million people across Western Australia,” Water Minister Simone McGurk said. “This water pipeline, the largest ever built by Water Corporation, will deliver over 50 billion litres of clean, safe drinking water each year to homes and businesses through the Integrated Water Supply Scheme.”
Made from Pilbara iron ore and Cockburn Cement concrete, the locally produced pipes will minimise greenhouse gas emissions and pressure on supply chains.
Construction of the first six kilometres of the pipeline has commenced in Alkimos, and work on the remaining 27.5 kilometres will begin in 2025. The project is expected to be completed late in 2027, ahead of ASDP’s commencement of operation in mid-2028.
A consortium of Georgiou Group and DM Drainage and Constructions has been named the preferred proponent to design, build and commission the remaining 27.5 kilometres of the pipeline. The joint venture will partner with Water Corporation to form the Alkimos Pipeline Alliance, bringing together extensive expertise in large-scale steel water pipeline projects.
Combined, the construction of ASDP and the integration pipeline project will support the creation of more than 1,500 jobs, including more than 170 apprentice and trainee positions.
The projects will inject $1.1 billion into the WA economy, with $65 million directed to Aboriginal businesses. They will deliver significant economic benefits across the State.
“Unlike other global cities that are facing significant water supply challenges, Perth has acted to ensure our water supply network is more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” McGurk said. “By integrating this new source into our water supply, we are strengthening water security, ensuring that our community can rely on a rainfall-independent water supply in the face of a drying climate.”
The $2.8 billion program of works is made possible by the Western Australian Government’s Budget surplus. It includes the construction of the first-stage 50-billion-litre plant, the desalination pipeline, and additional related projects to integrate ASDP into the wider supply scheme across Perth.
This investment underlines the Western Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to securing a sustainable water future, driving economic growth, and creating jobs for all Western Australians.
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