Water Corporation flags Nanarup and Sandpatch as possible locations for proposed Albany desalination plant

Nanarup and Sandpatch have been earmarked as possible sites for a proposed desalination plant, with the Water Corporation saying the plant will be key to sustainable and reliable water for the Great Southern. The Water Corp. said a new groundwater source was also still being investigated but with no alternative water source able to meet the Lower Great Southern’s needs, a seawater desalination plant would be a necessary addition to the landscape. A new water source is needed in the region by 2030 to respond to pressures of population and economic growth, according to the corporation. Water Corp’s Great Southern regional manager Adrian Stewart said groundwater would continue to be vital, but due to declining rainfall, would not be enough to meet long-term water needs. “We’ve explored different ways to find more water, like using recycled wastewater and stormwater or expanding dam catchments, but none are sufficient to bridge the gap, with an extra 1.8 billion litres required by 2050,” he said. WA Premier Roger Cook ruled out a desalination plant in King George Sound earlier this year, after heavy backlash from local environmental and community groups. Mr Stewart said Nanarup and Sandpatch were selected due to their proximity to the city and existing water infrastructure. “We need to keep a future plant close to Albany, which accounts for the bulk of water demand within the region, and existing water infrastructure,” he said. “This helps reduce the environmental and social impacts of long pipelines, which otherwise add to the complexity and timeframes for delivery.” The Water Corp. will start the engagement process with key regional stakeholders including traditional owners and the City of Albany, as well as a new community consultation group, which was announced by Water Minister Don Punch in May. The first meeting of the community consultation group was held on July 1, and a drop-in information stand will be set up at the Albany Boatshed on July 5 for people looking for more information. Mr Stewart said the Albany plant would be small at about three billion litres in capacity compared to 100 billion litres, which is the capacity of its largest desalination plant. “A desalination facility in Albany will be small, sympathetic to the locality and will operate with minimal environmental impact,” he said. “It’s the sustainable water source required to support the Lower Great Southern, so we need the community and other stakeholders to help us deliver this vital project.”