18/04/07
Premier Alan Carpenter has today officially opened the $387million Perth Seawater Desalination Plant in Kwinana.
Mr Carpenter said the project was Australia's first, large-scale seawater desalination plant and had been delivering drinking water into Perth's public supply system since November last year.
The plant reached full capacity last month, producing on average 130 million litres per day and supplying 17 per cent of Perth's water needs.
"Our drying climate has resulted in an unprecedented threat to the lifestyle we enjoy in Western Australia," the Premier said.
"The desalination plant puts WA on the world stage of progressive, responsible water management and will help us meet the challenges that lie ahead.
"While the State Government's 'security through diversity' water strategy has meant WA has the mildest water restrictions in the country, we still need to do more.
"It is absolutely essential we ensure WA has a sustainable and long-term water supply in a time where global warming and climate change continue to undermine our traditional water supplies."
Mr Carpenter said the State Government had recognised the issues and challenges of climate change.
"We have invested heavily in water infrastructure and associated projects - $3billion since 2001," he said.
"In making the decision to build the desalination plant, we made the right decision for the future."
The Premier said the State Government would continue its work on improving water efficiency across households, industry and agriculture sectors, as well as increasing current water recycling levels.
"A range of conservation measures, including the two-day sprinkler roster, has resulted in a significant drop of water usage from 185 kilolitres per year per person (*) in 2001 to 155kl in 2007," he said.
"In the past five years, the community has saved about 45 billion litres of water annually - the same amount that will be produced each year by the desalination plant."
Mr Carpenter said householders could help reduce their water consumption through Waterwise measures such as:
- mulching their gardens;
- planting native species which require less water;
- upgrading to more efficient reticulation systems; and
- installing water-efficient household appliances such as low-flow shower heads and dual-flush toilets.
The Premier encouraged householders to take advantage of the State Government's Waterwise Rebate Program, which offered rebates on a range of water-efficient products. More information is available from:
http://portal.water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/WiseWaterUse/WaterwiseRebates Mr Carpenter said the State Government would also work with the agricultural and mining sectors, investigating ways to improve their water use efficiency.
Water use in those households across WA which were not connected to Perth's integrated scheme would also be reviewed, along with water use for commerce, industry and public open space.
The Premier said steady progress was being made towards achieving the 2012 water recycling target of 20 per cent, with the current recycling at 13 per cent.
He said the new State Water Reuse and Conservation Committee would put together a State Water Recycling Strategy, which would include potential new projects such as the managed aquifer recharge to increase the amount of available drinking water and provide water for the environment.
*'Per person' use is based on total consumption including household, commercial, agriculture, parks, fire fighting and water treatment.
Premier's office - 9222 9475
