Meeting Albany’s growing water needs - responsibly

Albany and the Lower Great Southern’s need for drinking water is growing. By 2050, we’ll need an extra 1.8 billion litres every year, that’s the equivalent of 720 Olympic sized swimming pools! But climate change is making it harder to rely on the sources we’ve used for generations, like dams and groundwater. In fact, by 2030, those sources won’t be enough.

Finding the best water solution for the region

We’ve looked at different ways to increase our water supply, like

• tapping into additional groundwater sources,
• recycling water to drinking water standards,
• and seawater desalination.

Drinking recycled water has been carefully considered, but it’s not a long-term solution for Albany. Groundwater will still play a role, but it won’t be enough on its own. That’s why we’ve chosen seawater desalination as part of the long-term plan to support our growing community.

Seawater desalination for a climate-resilient community

We’re exploring two locations for a desalination plant near Albany; Nanarup, and Sandpatch on the South Coast.

These areas have the potential to connect into the existing water supply network. When we build infrastructure close to where water is needed, we can reduce the length of pipelines. This means less impacts on the environment and communities.

Our expert team are dedicated to protecting our marine environment

With nearly two decades of experience operating desalination in WA, we’re confident it’s a sustainable long-term solution for the region’s future water needs. Our first desalination plant in Kwinana now produces around 15% of Perth’s water supply.

Desalination isn’t just about securing a water source that doesn’t rely on rainfall – it’s about doing so responsibly. We have marine science, engineering and planning specialists in Albany and across WA dedicated to ensuring we deliver a sustainable solution that is safe for the marine environment.

What’s the process of desalination?

Seawater desalination uses fine membranes, in a process called reverse osmosis, to separate fresh water from salt water. Around 40 - 45% of the seawater is converted into drinking water, while the rest becomes brine – a concentrated form of seawater that’s about twice as salty as the ocean.

We carefully manage how brine is returned to the ocean via an offshore pipeline that ends in a specially designed diffuser. This diffuser helps mix the brine with seawater at depth, making it indistinguishable within tens of metres from where it re-enters the ocean.

This considered approach helps ensure marine life isn’t harmed and beach users stay safe. In fact, experience from our other desalination plants shows that many species thrive around the diffusers. Learn more.

Albany, we’re listening

Through our new source investigations, we’re continuing to attend community events across Albany, and host our own drop-in sessions, to listen to your feedback. Check out which event we’ll next be attending next or view meeting minutes from. You can also view meeting minutes from our Community Consultation Group meetings.

Check out these 10 simple tips to save water today. Or, explore the rebates available to Albany and other regional towns across WA.