New water treatment plant to meet future needs of Bunbury Article by Aqwest Bunbury’s new highly efficient, modern water treatment plant has been designed to meet the future water needs of WA’s second city. Aqwest was given approval by the State Government in November 2017 to start design and construction of the $15 million plant, which is taking shape at Bunbury’s inland suburb of Glen Iris and scheduled for completion in April this year. When finished, the plant will be capable of producing up to 12 megalitres of drinking water a day, supplying Aqwest’s 35,000 customers and other potential customers into the future. The plant is a key element of Aqwest’s strategic development plan to relocate water production away from the sensitive seawater/freshwater interface between the Yarragadee Aquifer and the Indian Ocean. Aqwest uses bores near the coast to draw water from the aquifer, which is a large underground fresh water source. According to Aqwest Chief Executive Officer Gary Hallsworth, due to the impacts of climate change, the risk of increasing salinity levels near the coastal bores is threatening water quality. “The new water treatment plant will extract water from a high quality, sustainable in-land groundwater source, creating greater water production cost efficiencies and delivering benefits to our customers,” Mr Hallsworth said. “By planning for the future, Aqwest is continuing its commitment to provide sustainable, high quality driving water that consistently meets or exceeds our customers’ expectations.” When completed, the new treatment plant at Glen Iris will be open for public and school tours so people can see first hand where their water comes from and learn about the water treatment and distribution process.
Where does Aqwest operate? Aqwest is a West Australian Government Trading Enterprise responsible for providing drinking water to the City of Bunbury and surrounding areas, which includes about 17,000 properties.This includes Bunbury, parts of Dalyellup and the Picton industrial area, however its operating licence matches the boundary of the Greater Bunbury Regional Scheme, from north of Harvey and Myalup to south of Capel. It produces water from an integrated treatment and distribution system which includes 12 bores, six water treatment plants, four reservoirs, one water tower and about 380 kilometres of water mains. Aqwest operates independently from the Water Corporation and is the sole provider of water for the Bunbury region.
HARVEY
AQWEST’s OPERATING LICENCE AREA
MYALUP BINNINGUP
Map Key Current Water Supply Assets Operating Licence Area Roads / Highways Towns
AUSTRALIND
BUNBURY
EATON
DALYELLUP
BOYANUP PEPPERMINT GROVE BEACH CAPEL
DONNYBROOK
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The Overflow - Summer 2020
