The Western Government has awarded a joint venture the contract for stage two of the Groundwater Replenishment Scheme in Craigie.
Minister for Water, Dave Kelly, said a joint venture between local engineering firm Clough and French waste management giant SUEZ was awarded the contract to complete stage two of the expansion.
The Advanced Water Recycling Plant forms part of the wider $262 million expansion project which also includes a 13km recharge pipeline extending to the north-east of the plant, and two recharge sites in Wanneroo and Neerabup.
Construction of stage two is expected to begin in October 2017 and take about two years to complete.
Mr Kelly said he was pleased the Water Corporation will use the skills and expertise of Western Australians as part of this important project.
“Through this contract about 170 local workers will be employed, with 90 per cent of work to be subcontracted or supplied by Western Australian businesses.”
Mr Kelly said groundwater replenishment is a key project in the Water Corporation’s plans to secure water supplies in response to the drying climate in the state’s south-west.
“When the expansion is complete, the Groundwater Replenishment Scheme in Craigie will have the capacity to recharge up to 28 billion litres of water each year – enough to supply up to 100,000 Perth households.”
As part of Water Corporation’s Groundwater Replenishment Scheme, the Advanced Water Recycling Plant currently has the capacity to treat secondary treated wastewater and recharge up to 14 billion litres of recycled water into groundwater supplies each year.
The expansion project includes doubling the plant’s capacity to recharge up to 28 billion litres of recycled water each year, which will provide further water security to the residents of Perth.
Stage one of the Groundwater Replenishment Scheme in Craigie is now complete and water recharge from the first plant is underway.
Clough CEO and Managing Director, Peter Bennett, said they were delighted to receive this award from the Water Corporation of Western Australia and excited to deliver the project in partnership with SUEZ.
“This development is critical to Water Corporation’s objective to reduce reliance on rainfall and continue to ensure every Western Australian has the water services to sustain the Western Australian lifestyle,” Mr Bennett said.
SUEZ’s Chief Executive Officer – Water, David Lamy, said the company is also delighted to continue its work with Water Corporation.
In partnership with Water Corporation, SUEZ operates and maintains the water production and wastewater treatment assets of Perth and also operates the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant in Kwinana.
“SUEZ is proud of the role we play in delivering safe and reliable drinking water to two million residents in Perth and surrounding areas. The Advanced Water Recycling Plant will provide an additional, climate independent water source to boost drinking water supplies,” Mr Lamy said.
Groundwater replenishment is the process where secondary treated wastewater undergoes advanced treatment to produce recycled water. This water, which is now of drinking quality, is then recharged into an aquifer. The water will remain in the aquifer for decades before it is drawn out at another location, treated at a water treatment plant and added to the water supply scheme.