The Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant is a $1.1 billion water supply project expected to deliver up to 8 gigalitres of water annualy 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 through a 50:50 joint venture between Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government, and is being delivered across two stages. Once completed, the facility will be owned and operated by Rio Tinto.
Funding contributions
| WA Government |
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 Dampier Sewater Desalination Plant. Both stages are currently under construction, with Stage One expected to be operational by the end of 2026, and Stage Two expected to be operational by the end of 2027. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2026)
Sector
Water & Sewerage
Procurement approach
Market Led Proposal |
Location
Western Australia |
Resources
