A decade on since Perth's first seawater desalination plant opened

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

• 10 years since Perth Seawater Desalination Plant was officially opened
• About 475 billion litres of drinking water produced since 2007
• Each year, the plant has the capacity to produce 45 billion litres of drinking water 

Water Minister Dave Kelly today visited the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant to mark 10 years since it first began to produce climate independent water.

The plant was commissioned by the Gallop Labor Government and opened by the Carpenter Labor Government in 2007, in response to the impacts climate change was having on Western Australia's dams and groundwater. It was the first large scale plant to be built in Australia.

In the last 10 years, it 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.

The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant is one of two seawater desalination plants in WA that supplies 47 per cent of water for Perth and the Integrated Water Supply Scheme.

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

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"The McGowan Labor Government, just like Labor governments of the past, understands the impacts climate change is having on our dams and groundwater supplies.

"As we face the water challenges of the future, we will draw on the vision and innovative thinking that Labor governments are renowned for.

"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."