The Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant is expected to deliver up to 8 gigalitres of water annually to the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme, supplying the towns of Karratha, Wickham, Dampier, Roebourne, Point Samson and the industrial areas of Cape Lambert and the Burrup Peninsula.
The project is being delivered in two stages, with each expected to have a capacity of four gigalitres (GL)
The project is being delivered through a 50:50 joint venture between Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government. The Joint Venture has entered into an agreement with Yindjibarndi Water to acquire and operate the project.
Key Dates
| 2024 | Construction Commencement |
| Dec 2027 | Expected Construction Completion |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Rio Tinto |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Oct 2022 | The project was referred to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Agency for assessment. |
| Apr 2023 | The Western Australian Environmental Protection Agency ruled that an assessment was not required under the EP Act. |
| Apr 2024 | GHD were awarded a contract to deliver Engineering Design works for the project. |
| 2024 | Construction Commenced on the project. |
| Feb 2025 | Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess and deliver Stage Two of the project. |
| Mar 2026 | Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government formally entered into a 50:50 joint venture to deliver Stage One and Two of the project. As part of the agreement, the WA Water Corporation allocated $659 million to the project. Both stages are currently under construction, with Stage One expected to be operational by the end of 2026, and Stage Two by the end of 2027. |
| Jul 2026 | WA Water Corporation and Rio Tinto signed non-binding agreements for the sale of their respective shares in the project to Yindjibarndi WaterCo. The agreements progress a potential transaction for Yindjibarndi WaterCo to acquire and operate the project upon construction completion, with Rio Tinto to remain responsible for managing construction activities. As part of the agreements, Water Corporation is expected to secure an annual supply of four billion litres of water. A binding agreement is expected to be signed this year, subject to due diligence and successful capital raising of debt and equity. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2026)
Sector
Water & Sewerage
Procurement approach
Market Led Proposal |
Location
Western Australia |
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