SA Water has announced it has started building a water desalination plant on the Eyre Peninsula to ensure the region’s long-term drinking water security.
Responding to the Government’s acceptance of Billy Lights Points as the preferred site for the plant, the utility has announced it will immediately commence the project’s necessary planning and preparatory designing.
According to SA Water, the multi-million-dollar investment will provide a new reliable, climate-independent drinking water source, largely replacing existing groundwater sources and the River Murray and being critical to enabling economic growth.
Chief Executive of SA Water, David Ryan said Billy Lights Point was the best environmental, logistical and financially sustainable option to support the community.
“We know water security is a growing concern for the Eyre Peninsula, and this decision will give surety to local residents and enable businesses to invest with confidence,” Mr Ryan said.
“As part of the comprehensive site selection process – including with a community-led independent site selection committee – considerable research has been undertaken over several years, with investigations conducted into more than 15 potential locations,” he said.
“Billy Lights Point best meets all the criteria to deliver water security needs of the region now and into the future, and is the most cost-effective and timely water security solution for the people of Eyre Peninsula.”
He said that as the largest investment in water infrastructure in the region, the plant would represent an historic time for the Eyre Peninsula, ensuring it remained a great place to live, work and invest.
SA Water said that once it was operational the plant would be able to produce up to 5.3 gigalitres of water a year with the ability to scale up if required, adding significant capacity to the network to enable economic growth in the region.
It said preliminary research reviewed by a world-renowned Marine Science Review Panel confirmed that with the right design, a desalination plant at Billy Lights Point could be built without impacting the local marine environment.
More information about the Eyre Peninsula desalination project can be accessed on this PS News link.
