Southern Seawater Desalination Plant

The Southern Seawater Desalination Plant site produces 100 GL/yr and is situated on the coast between Binningup and Myalup beaches, 130km south of Perth and 66km south of Mandurah. Drinking water from the plant is transferred to Perth’s Integrated Water Supply Scheme with brine being returned to the ocean through an array of diffuser ports offshore. The plant reliably and continuously produces high quality drinking water meeting stringent client requirements.

Sustainability, productivity, and innovation are the hallmarks of the Binningup Desalination Plant. In the first stage of development, we used non-invasive marine construction technology with intake pipes and discharge via tunnels. We also took into account the surrounding architecture and landscape, monitoring of marine and land species (such as the Possums corridor), operating checks, and the policy of not using chemical products in pre-treatment.

Furthermore, the project also focuses on the protection of biodiversity. In its facilities, a species of non-identified Acacia has been found (Acacia sp. Binningup). Since its discovery, seeds have been collected so that this species can be planted in our revegetation areas.

The plant includes an 8-meter high verge that runs 1,100 meters around the perimeter to conceal the Plant from nearby residents and minimize sound and light pollution. The plant is also run using 100% renewable energy.

The Plant  was named one of the top 100 most innovative infrastructure projects in the world by KPMG in 2014. It has also received accolades such as ‘Desalination Plant of the Year’ at the Global Water Awards 2012, the ‘Western Australia Engineering Awards’ (overall winner, infrastructure & building winner, management of engineering winner) and the ‘Commercial Architecture Award’ from the Institute of Architects Western Australia. Finally, it was considered Project of the Year by the Australian Institute of Project Management.

This P3 is currently managed by Sacyr Water.