Eyre Peninsula's new seawater desalination plant

We are working together with the Eyre Peninsula community as we progress plans for supplementing the Uley South groundwater supply with seawater desalination to ensure water security for the region into the future.

While the option to build a seawater desalination plant at Sleaford Bay, south-west of Port Lincoln is still in consideration, it was identified that the geological conditions at Sleaford Bay would prove challenging for the construction of some of the infrastructure, requiring additional project costs.

We are now exploring if other suitable locations in the region would reduce construction costs, with any new site identified to undergo the same detailed assessment applied to the initial location.

Current status

We are considering locating the plant closer to Port Lincoln to reduce some technical and environmental challenges, to achieve a better customer outcome in providing water security for lower Eyre.

We are working with Port Lincoln businesses and industry representatives, landholders, local Aboriginal communities and councils, their input will help inform potential alternative sites. This widespread engagement will help ensure all interests are being taken into consideration and local knowledge is used to add value to the project. Once a preferred location has been identified, this will be presented to the wider community for feedback.

We are taking all steps, including undertaking studies and working with PIRSA/SARDI, to ensure we preserve and maintain the current marine environment.

Drinking water supplies for the Eyre Peninsula community remain secure, with current modelling showing groundwater resources and River Murray will continue to meet demand until a desalination plant is built.

Next steps

To inform our planning we will complete further investigations that will be used as part of the approval process including:

• detailed terrestrial, marine, environment and heritage assessments
• concept design
• technical construction and operation plans
• community engagement.
  

Keep an eye on this page for future opportunities to get involved.