Climate change, aging water supply infrastructure and industries demand for water are driving the need for innovative solutions in delivering a reliable and suitable water supply in regional areas. This has led to the investment in water use initiatives, including the trialling of regional desalination plants.
The Commission, recognising the challenge around regional water supplies and capitalising on State Government funding ($5M for the WaterSmart Farms Industry Development program), facilitated opportunities for the Shires of Merredin and Dumbleyung to submit expressions of interest for the trialling of community desalination units. These Shires were selected due to their vulnerability to water deficiencies, existing infrastructure, including groundwater production bores and connection to water storage and ability to safely dispose of reject water.
Utilizing excess groundwater under these towns brings economic, social, and environmental benefits, replacing the need for water from the Goldfields Wheatbelt Water Supply Scheme and Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme. It also boosts water supply resilience against climate change, serving societal and economic needs. Extracting water helps lower the water table, reducing damage to infrastructure from saline groundwater.
The main objective of the demonstration sites is to evaluate the costs, reliability, and maintenance requirements over a period of two-to-three years of uninterrupted operation. This data will help determine the economic, environmental and technical feasibility of implementing desalination in regional communities. The project will also showcase the practical aspects, costs and advantages of desalination in communities, serving as a model for establishing water supplies that meet specific needs to support community and economic activities.
