Work ramps up on WA's next major water source

• Preferred proponent selected and negotiations progressing to design, buildand operate future Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant
• Part of $2.8 billion project to secure drinking water to millions of Western Australians  
• Contract award subject to further negotiations

Water Minister Simone McGurk has announced a consortium of Acciona Agua Australia Pty Ltd and Jacobs Group Australia Pty Ltd as the preferred proponent to design, build and operate the future Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP).

Subject to further negotiations, the companies will form an alliance to be known as the Northern Water Partnership (NWP) ahead of construction beginning in mid-2024.

Acciona Agua Australia Pty Ltd brings considerable experience in the delivery and operation of drinking water infrastructure, including as part of a consortium that built and now operates the Adelaide Seawater Desalination Plant.

Jacobs Group Australia Pty Ltd has similar expertise, having partnered with Water Corporation to deliver vital water supply and wastewater projects across Western Australia.  

Producing an eventual 100 billion litres of climate-resilient drinking water annually, ASDP will help secure water supply to more than 2.5 million Western Australians.

The $2.8 billion program of works is made possible by the State Government's Budget surplus and includes construction of the first 50-billion-litre stage as well as related projects to integrate ASDP into the wider supply scheme across Perth.

Pending successful negotiations, an alliance contract is expected to be awarded in March 2024.

Work to prepare the site for construction began last month under a $29.8 million contract that will create more than 70 local jobs, including for apprentices and trainees. 

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"The Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant and associated projects are a significant investment in the future water security for millions of people across Perth and regional areas.

"With siteworks well underway, and now the announcement of the preferred proponent, we're on track for construction to begin mid-2024.  

"Western Australia was the first State to introduce large scale desalination, and this is a key milestone in the delivery of our next climate-resilient water source."