Following the inspection and analysis of 20 potential sites across Port Lincoln and Lower Eyre Peninsula, SA Water has selected Billy Lights Point as the new preferred location for a planned desalination plant.
The plant will provide a reliable, climate-independent drinking water source to supplement existing groundwater supplies.
It will prove critical to maintaining a long-term supply of safe, clean drinking water for 35,000 SA Water customers on the Eyre Peninsula.
SA Water general manager of sustainable infrastructure Amanda Lewry said the Billy Lights Point location is suitable for the most effective delivery, while also maintaining the quality of the local environment.
“With the support of independent experts, we looked at a range of criteria as part of the site review process, with environmental impacts given the highest weighting,” said Lewry.
“Billy Lights Point best satisfies the criteria, providing reduced technical and environmental challenges; proximity to existing water and electricity networks; a larger available footprint to provide a buffer from residential areas; water quality improvements to Port Lincoln, and best value for money for our customers.”
SA Water will progress detailed design assessments and hydrodynamic modelling to determine the exact location and length of the intake (where the plant draws seawater in) and outfall (where the plant disperses saline concentrate from the desalination process) pipes.
The plant will draw a total of up to 11.3 GL of water from the ocean each year, which is around 0.64 per cent of the volume of Boston and Proper Bay.
It will initially be designed to a four GL per year capacity, with marine and underground pipework designed to provide for an additional four GL per year, should it be required to support future drinking water demand.
Subject to required approvals, construction of the new desalination plant and supporting infrastructure is expected to begin mid next year, with first water to be delivered by the end of 2023.
For more information visit the SA Water website.