Expanded desalination plant to help secure Pilbaras water supply

Photo credit: Rio Tinto

• Cook Government to invest $606 million in expanded Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant
• Project to be delivered by government in partnership with Rio Tinto
• Investment to ensure Western Australians living in the West Pilbara have the infrastructure and services they need
• Changes to sprinkler roster in City of Karratha to be trialled from 1 April for six months

Western Australians living in the West Pilbara will benefit from long-term water security thanks to the Cook Government's $606 million investment which will double the $1.1 billion Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant's (DSDP) capacity.

Stage 1 is being built by Rio Tinto. With the addition of Stage 2, the newly expanded plant will now supply eight billion litres of water to the Pilbara annually, including providing drinking water to more than 10,000 homes in Karratha, Wickham, Roebourne, and Point Sampson.

Importantly, the project will allow Rio Tinto and Water Corporation to reduce groundwater abstraction from the Bungaroo and Millstream borefields, protecting culturally and ecologically significant sites.

Stage 1 is already under construction, with the additional investment allowing expedited delivery of a Stage 2 to be online in 2027.

The government's investment in expanding DSDP's capacity follows a $12.4 million investment made last year to support long-term sustainability of the Millstream aquifer via a partnership between Water Corporation, Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Water Corporation will continue working closely with Traditional Owners to maximise their involvement as DSDP's expansion progresses.

To further support long-term water security, Water Corporation will also make changes to sprinkler rosters in the City of Karratha from 1 April.

As part of a six-month trial, households in Karratha, Roebourne, Dampier, Wickham, and Point Samson will be allowed to use sprinklers three days per week, reducing their overall usage by one day per fortnight.

The decision was informed by expert advice and is part of broader efforts to respond to the effects of climate change on West Pilbara water sources.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"Western Australia has the strongest economy in the nation thanks largely to the Pilbara and our world-leading resources industry.

"That's why we want to ensure the Western Australians who live in such an important part of our State have access to the quality infrastructure and services they deserve.

"We are already working with Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation to improve the Millstream aquifer's sustainability.

"Now, we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a project that will deliver billions of litres of water to local households and businesses.

"This project shows why our government's Made in WA plan is so important to our State's future and how it is helping deliver our priorities."

Comments attributed to Water Minister Don Punch:

"This investment by the Cook Government is a significant step in safeguarding long‑term water security for West Pilbara communities, while also creating the foundations for sustained economic growth and future development across the region.

"Reduced rainfall is placing increasing pressure on both our surface water and groundwater systems, as well as the ecosystems and cultural landscapes that rely on them.

"Ensuring a reliable, sustainable water supply is critical not just for households and industry, but for the health of Country.

"The Yindjibarndi people have witnessed these environmental changes firsthand at Millstream, and their knowledge has guided our approach to ensure water abstraction is sustainable and kept away from areas of cultural and environmental significance."

Comments attributed to Pilbara Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Our government wants the Pilbara to be a vibrant region for people to live, work, and raise a family.

"That's why we're working with Rio Tinto to double the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant's capacity so that Karratha can grow and support our ambition of ensuring the Pilbara continues to play a major role in decarbonising Western Australia's economy."

Comments attributed to Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Matthew Holcz:

"We understand water is a scarce resource, especially in the Pilbara.

"Bringing on the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant is an important step as we work to reduce our reliance on groundwater abstraction.

"Stage 1 of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant will reduce our draw on the Bungaroo aquifer, which we recognise is deeply important to the Robe River Kuruma People.

"We are pleased to partner with the Western Australian Government to improve the security and sustainability of water supply throughout the Pilbara."

Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

"Securing a reliable water supply for more than 10,000 homes is vital for our communities, and this project shows the Cook Government's real commitment to creating jobs and strengthening the Pilbara economy in partnership with Traditional Owners and local industry.

"This expansion strengthens our region's future by boosting local employment and supporting sustainable economic development, while ensuring our water sources and culturally significant places are protected for generations to come."