A new inland groundwater pipeline will reshape Guilderton water supply security, reducing pressure on vulnerable coastal aquifers.
Construction is set to begin on a 7.4-kilometre pipeline connecting Sovereign Hill to Guilderton in Western Australia’s Shire of Gingin, in a move aimed at strengthening long-term drinking water reliability for the coastal community.
The $10 million project, delivered by Water Corporation and jointly funded through the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund, will connect the town to a deeper and more sustainable inland groundwater source.
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Reducing pressure on coastal aquifers
Guilderton has historically relied on shallow coastal aquifers that are more susceptible to salinity and declining rainfall. As climate variability intensifies, those sources have become increasingly vulnerable to quality and yield risks.
The new pipeline will allow Water Corporation to supplement local supply with groundwater from near Sovereign Hill, improving operational flexibility and reducing dependence on more saline sources.
In addition to the pipeline itself, the project includes upgrades to treatment infrastructure and control systems at both ends of the connection. These works are intended to improve system resilience, reliability and aesthetic water quality outcomes.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the investment was focused on long-term regional resilience.
“By connecting Guilderton to more sustainable groundwater reserves further inland, this project will bolster supply reliability and may otherwise impact the community’s ability grow and prosper,” Minister Watt said.
“The Albanese Government is pleased to partner with the Cook Government to invest in future-focused water infrastructure that helps regional communities stay resilient in the face of climate change and its impacts to drinking water.”
Flexibility in scheme operations
Western Australian Water Minister Don Punch said the pipeline would provide Water Corporation with greater operational control across the scheme.
“This project is a major step forward in strengthening the quality and reliability of drinking water for the Guilderton community,” Minister Punch said.
“By drawing on deeper inland groundwater through the new pipeline, Water Corporation will be able to run the scheme with far greater flexibility, helping ensure the town has a secure, year-round supply.”
“The Cook Government is focused on delivering the infrastructure that regional communities need, and this partnership with the Australian Government shows how we’re working together to make it happen.”
Construction is scheduled for completion in late 2026.