Western Australian water management has long been shaped by a climate that is hotter, drier and more variable than almost anywhere else in the country.
For Water Corporation CEO Pat Donovan, the future has arrived sooner than expected. He said the southwest of WA had become a global hotspot for climate impacts, with system-wide effects that now define the utility’s work.
Since the mid-1970s, streamflows into Perth’s dams have fallen by about 80 per cent, while winter rainfall has dropped significantly. Even the wettest winter since 1996 delivered only 15 per cent of the runoff that once would have filled Perth’s storages.
“What we are seeing is where worst-case climate scenarios are almost now likely scenarios,” Donovan said. “Our supply demand curves have all shifted five years forward in what appears to be 18 months.”
This shift, combined with a rapidly growing population and rising household water use, has accelerated the need for new, climate-resilient sources. Donovan said the state had crossed three million people last year, with Perth recording one of the fastest growth rates in the country.
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What does the next wave of climate-resilient infrastructure look like?
Water Corporation is now delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure programs in its history. The centrepiece is Alkimos, Perth’s next large-scale desalination plant, which will produce 50 billion litres of additional drinking water each year from 2028.
Regional WA is also seeing new investment, including desalination plants in Onslow and Exmouth, as well as plans for up to six additional regional desalination facilities to replace declining groundwater sources and support new industrial growth..
Donovan said this long-term pipeline was essential.
“We are looking at probably doubling the existing desalination capacity in Perth over the next decade,” he said. “Regional projects will also be critical for communities and industries across the state.”
Wastewater recycling is another cornerstone of the shift. The advanced water recycling plant at Beenyup currently replenishes Perth’s aquifer with up to 28 billion litres a year. The Kwinana Water Recycling Plant is being expanded to support industrial demand and ease pressure on drinking water supplies.
Although much of the focus is on major builds, Donovan said adapting existing assets was equally important. Water Corporation is upgrading its largest water resource recovery facility at Woodman Point and planning upgrades for two more of its major metropolitan plants by the mid-2030s.
“We inherited relatively new infrastructure when Water Corporation was established in 1996, but that infrastructure has now seen the growth it was designed for,” he said.
How is innovation strengthening Western Australian water security?
Alongside large capital works, the utility is investing heavily in research and operational optimisation. Water Corporation is nearing the 25-year mark of its research and development partnerships, involving more than 600 projects with universities in Australia and abroad. Donovan highlighted the recent visit by the Water Services Association of Australia board to the Subiaco Water Resource Innovation Precinct, led by principal R&D specialist Paul Nolan.
“We got incredible feedback on the work happening there,” he said.
Many of the most effective innovations are operational.
Fibre optic leak monitoring is being trialled in Perth’s CBD to detect acoustic signatures of leaks before they become bursts.
Leak detection dogs, including Piper, are now used in regional towns where non-visible leaks are harder to find.
Digital metering trials are underway to help both customers and operators better understand consumption and network efficiency.
Water Corporation is also exploring AI and data analytics to support predictive maintenance and energy optimisation. Trials include modelling time-of-use energy patterns across major schemes and applying analytics to improve asset performance.
Evaporation-reduction technologies are being tested at regional dams, including a Hexacover trial designed to conserve water in high-evaporation environments.
Donovan said these incremental improvements mattered.
“Any small advancements in network efficiency or water use efficiency really can make a big difference,” he said. “Our people are dedicated to bringing forward new solutions.”
Why is partnership the key to future operations?
Water Corporation’s long-term success depends on partnerships across government, industry, regulators, traditional owners and the community.
Donovan described this as a defining priority for the next decade. The scale of infrastructure investment planned for WA, particularly in strategic industrial areas, requires coordinated sequencing of approvals, capital works and delivery capacity across multiple agencies.
“We have to partner with the government like never before to support and enable their priorities,” he said. “The state is trying to diversify its economy, decarbonise and build new port infrastructure. Water is a fundamental enabler for that.”
New forms of partnership are also emerging. A recent agreement with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation aims to ensure sustainable groundwater management while protecting cultural and environmental values at Millstream. Donovan said such partnerships would become increasingly important across the state.
Market partnerships are evolving, too. Rather than defining solutions in tenders, Water Corporation plans to release problem statements and invite broader innovation. Donovan said this shift would help build the supply chain’s capability and capacity.
What does leadership look like in a state this large?
With more than 50,000 kilometres of water and wastewater mains across an area many times the size of Ireland, effective leadership means enabling local teams to deliver for their communities. Donovan said servant leadership guided his approach.
“My role is to enable our people to be their best and do their best for the communities they live and work in,” he said.
He said leadership required clarity, courage and momentum.
“My job is to unlock the amazing wisdom and experience that our people have and combine it with new ways of working and external partnerships to bring clarity to the complexity we are experiencing.”
Looking ahead, Donovan said he felt optimistic about the future of Western Australian water.
“The opportunity to reinforce WA as a global leader in climate-resilient water sources and water security is something we can all be proud of,” he said. “Nothing is as important as ensuring safe and secure water services for all Western Australians.”