Construction of one of Western Australia’s largest water pipelines has reached its halfway point, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of the $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant project.
More than 17 kilometres of the 33.5-kilometre underground trunk main has now been completed. The pipeline will connect the future desalination plant at Alkimos to Water Corporation’s Wanneroo Reservoir, strengthening water security for the State’s growing population.
With an internal diameter of 1.6 metres, the pipeline is among the largest ever built in Western Australia and has been designed to accommodate future expansion of the desalination plant.
Manufactured locally by Steel Mains in Kwinana, the steel, cement-lined pipe is made using Pilbara iron ore and Cockburn cement. Nearly 1,600 pipe sections, ranging from six to 12 metres in length, have been installed to date.
The trunk main forms a key component of the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant project, which is expected to become Western Australia’s next major water source. Once operational, the plant will initially supply 50 billion litres of drinking water each year and support more than 1,500 jobs.
The pipeline will connect the desalination plant to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme via the Carabooda Tank, future Nowergup Tank and Wanneroo Reservoir, helping supply water to more than 2.5 million people.
Its large diameter is also expected to improve efficiency, reducing pumping energy requirements and lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 21 per cent compared with a smaller pipeline design.
The trunk main is being delivered by the Alkimos Pipeline Alliance, comprising Water Corporation, Georgiou Group and DM Civil, with completion expected in 2027.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said the project demonstrated the benefits of local manufacturing and infrastructure investment.
“This pipeline is the perfect example of my government’s Made in WA plan,” Cook said.
WA Water Minister, Don Punch, said the milestone represented an important step towards securing the State’s long-term water supply.
“This milestone marks the halfway point in delivering one of the largest water pipelines built in WA and is a critical step in securing our State’s water future,” Punch said.
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