The South Australian Government and SA Water are committed to providing reliable drinking water supplies for the future.
As part of the State's Water for Good plan to secure water for the future, the Government is building a seawater desalination plant at Port Stanvac, south of Adelaide, to ensure drinking water is available even in times of drought.
The Adelaide Desalination Project will deliver up to 100 billion litres of water each year - about half of Adelaide’s water supply.
The State Government has announced it will invest $228 million, matching the Australian Government's $228 million funding commitment, to double the capacity of the Adelaide Desalination Plant from 50 gigalitres up to 100 gigalitres.
Port Stanvac has been chosen as the preferred site for the plant due to the accessibility of relatively deep seawater, optimal marine dispersion characteristics, better access to the water supply network, suitable land availability and lower construction costs.
First water will be delivered via the plant in December 2010. The plant will be fully operational in late 2012.
A multi-national consortium, AdelaideAqua has been named as the preferred bidder for construction of the desalination plant. The consortium of four companies has extensive world-wide desalination experience and strong environmental credentials.
The companies comprise Spanish firm Acciona Agua, United Utilities, McConnell Dowell and Abigroup Contractors. Together they will design, build, operate and maintain the plant for 20 years. AdelaideAqua was selected after a competitive and comprehensive evaluation process.
View the media release.
View the concept drawing.
Transfer pipeline
An important part of the Adelaide Desalination Project is the transfer pipeline system to deliver water from Port Stanvac to the Happy Valley water treatment supply. Desalinated water will be pumped through the pipeline to Happy Valley, where it will be combined with water from the water treatment plant before entering the existing water supply network. The water will not enter the reservoir but will be mixed with already treated water from the plant.
A joint venture between respected construction companies McConnell Dowell Constructors Pty Ltd and Built Environs Pty Ltd has been appointed to design and build the pipeline system.
These contractors are working wtih SA Water to ensure the pipeline can be delivered with minimal impact on the community and the environment.
For more information on the pipeline download the Transfer Pipeline - Revegetation Plans (2.29MB).
Landscaping
Work is continuing on the development of a landscaping plan for the site. More details will be available soon.
Traffic management
As we indicated in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, there will be significant increases to traffic movement to and from the Port Stanvac site by employees as well as through the supply and delivery of construction materials.
More information about traffic controls, restrictions and projects will be provided shortly.