Perth’s first seawater desalination plant marks 10 years

 

The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant recently marked 10 years since its official opening in 2007. Conceived in response to the impact climate change was having on Western Australia’s dams and groundwater, it was the first large scale plant to be built in Australia, and one of two seawater desalination plants in WA that supply 47 per cent of water for Perth and the Integrated Water Supply Scheme.

In the last 10 years the plant has produced about 475 billion litres of drinking water for Perth, and has the capacity to provide 45 billion litres of drinking water each year from the ocean.

Water Minister Dave Kelly visited the Plant to mark 10 years since it first began to produce climate independent water. He commented: “Over the past decade, the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant has taken seawater from the Indian Ocean and produced about 475 billion litres of fresh drinking water – which is enough water to fill Sydney Harbour.” 

“Ten years on, it is great to see the plant continues to provide a reliable, climate independent source of water. However, climate change is continuing to impact our precious water supplies – so it is important we all do our bit, whether it be at home or at work, to be more water efficient.”

Investment in desalination forms part of the Water Corporation’s long-term Water Forever plans – to secure water supplies in response to climate change.

For more information, visit https://watercorporation.com.au