The Western Australian Government is joining forces with Rio Tinto to strengthen water security in the Pilbara.
Rio Tinto’s delivery of Stage 1 of the Dampier seawater desalination plant at its existing Parker Point operations will provide four gigalitres of water per year once operational.
Now, Rio is in discussions for Stage 2 of the plant that would see it help bolster water supply to the rest of the Pilbara.
Rio has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the WA Government to explore how Stage 2 could help reduce groundwater take and help protect sites of environmental and cultural importance.
The west Pilbara Water Supply Scheme (WPWSS) supplies the towns of Karratha, Wickham, Dampier, Roebourne, Point Samson and the industrial areas of Cape Lambert and the Burrup Peninsula.
Over the past five years the west Pilbara has frequently experienced annual rainfall and streamflow below the long-term average. This has reduced important groundwater recharge at Millstream and Bungaroo borefields, as well as surface water runoff at Harding Dam, which supply the WPWSS.
Negotiations between Water Corporation and Rio Tinto will assess, and if feasible, consider options to deliver Stage 2 which is expected to be operational in 2027.
This will add a further four gigalitres of water per year to shore up a short-term supply of drinking water through the west Pilbara scheme and will also reduce pressure on the Millstream Aquifer.
“Water is a scarce resource, particularly in the west Pilbara,” Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Simon Trott said.
“We want to play our role in ensuring there is secure, sustainable and climate-independent water supply for all users in the region.”
Trott said construction of Stage 1 of the Dampier plant is well under way.
“This will reduce abstraction from the Bungaroo borefield, which we recognise is a significant concern for the Robe River Kuruma People,” he said.
“We are pleased to partner with the WAGovernment in Stage 2 of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant.
“We also welcome the news that it is prioritising the delivery of a further desalination plant for the region. The Government’s large-scale plant will support Rio Tinto’s transition pathway to zero abstraction from the Bungaroo Coastal Supply Borefield, as well as deliver clear benefits to the broader west Pilbara community.”
