The Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP) is one step closer to completion with construction of a 33.5km pipeline now underway.
Once complete, the Alkimos to Wanneroo desalination pipeline project will transfer 50GL of drinking water every year from the new desalination plant at Alkimos to Wanneroo. There, desalinated water will be added into the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS), supplying drinking water to more than 2.5 million people across Western Australia.
With a 1.6m diameter, this water pipeline is the largest ever constructed by Water Corporation and is sized for current and future stages of the $2.8 billion 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 12m section of the 1.6m-wide pipe weighs around 9t and has an expected lifespan of around 120 years.
The Western Australian Government said that the ASDP is expected to create more than 1500 local jobs and inject $1.1 billion into the state’s economy with $65 million directed to Aboriginal businesses.
The extra-large steel pipes are being manufactured in Western Australia, following the awarding of a $58 million contract to Steel Mains in 2022, which also facilitated the expansion of the Kwinana desalination plant.
Construction of the first 6km of the pipeline has commenced in Alkimos, with work on the remaining 27.5km to begin in 2025. The project is expected to be completed late in 2027, ahead of ASDP commencing 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 27.5km 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.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said, “Commencement of works to build the enormous 1.6m-wide Alkimos to Wanneroo desalination pipeline right here in Kwinana is a major milestone for our efforts to deliver Western Australia’s next major water source.
“Together, construction of the desalination plant and pipeline will create more than 1500 local jobs and inject more than $1.1 billion into the Western Australian economy.
“The $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant is critical to meet the needs of Western Australia’s growing population and set our state up for the long-term.
Western Australian Water Minister, Simone McGurk, said that 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.
“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,” Ms 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.”
Featured image: Bec Che/shutterstock/com
