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Rio Tinto Expands Seawater Desalination Capacity in Western Australia
A joint project with the Western Australian Government will supply up to 8 GL of desalinated water annually to the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme.
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Desalination infrastructure to strengthen water supply in the Pilbara
Mining operations, industrial facilities, and regional communities in Western Australia rely heavily on groundwater resources. In the Pilbara region, prolonged periods of below-average rainfall and reduced streamflow have increased pressure on aquifers that supply water to both towns and industry.
Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government have formed a 50:50 joint venture to complete Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant, a large-scale infrastructure project designed to diversify water sources and reduce dependence on groundwater extraction.
Once both stages are operational, the plant will deliver 8 gigalitres (GL) of desalinated water per year to the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme, which provides water to the towns of Karratha, Wickham, Dampier, Roebourne, and Point Samson, as well as the industrial areas of Cape Lambert and the Burrup Peninsula. The scheme itself is operated by Water Corporation.
Phased expansion of desalination capacity
Construction of Stage 1 is already underway and is expected to provide 4 GL of desalinated water annually once operational later this year. Stage 2, which will add an additional 4 GL per year, has also begun construction and is scheduled to deliver its first water supply in 2027.
The combined capacity of both phases will significantly reduce groundwater extraction from the Bungaroo and Millstream aquifers, which have historically supported the region’s water demand.
The A$1.1 billion desalination facility, operated by Rio Tinto, forms part of a broader strategy to diversify water resources in the Pilbara while supporting industrial activity and community water needs.
Addressing groundwater pressure in a dry climate
Over the past five years, the West Pilbara region has experienced rainfall and streamflow levels below long-term averages. Reduced precipitation has limited the natural recharge of key aquifers such as Millstream and Bungaroo, increasing concerns about long-term groundwater sustainability.
Lower groundwater availability affects not only industrial operations but also environmental ecosystems and cultural heritage sites connected to the aquifers. Traditional Owner groups have raised concerns regarding continued groundwater abstraction from these resources.
By introducing seawater desalination as an additional water source, the project aims to reduce reliance on groundwater and support more sustainable water management in the region.
Supporting industrial operations and regional communities
The West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme provides water to several towns and industrial zones that support Australia’s mining and export industries. Reliable water infrastructure is essential for maintaining mining operations, port activities, and local communities.
The desalination plant contributes to long-term water security for both residential users and industrial operations. It also supports regional development by providing a stable supply of treated water independent of rainfall variability.
As desalination plants convert seawater into potable or industrial-grade water through membrane-based filtration processes, they can operate continuously regardless of seasonal conditions, making them suitable for arid regions with limited freshwater resources.
Long-term water management in the Pilbara
The Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant builds on a 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government aimed at strengthening water security in the Pilbara.
By supplementing groundwater supplies with desalinated seawater, the project aims to balance industrial growth, environmental protection, and community water needs. The development also reduces pressure on aquifers that hold environmental and cultural significance in the region.
When fully operational, the plant will play a central role in diversifying water infrastructure in Western Australia’s resource-intensive Pilbara region while helping stabilize water supply for towns, industry, and ecosystems.
www.riotinto.com
Desalination infrastructure to strengthen water supply in the Pilbara
Mining operations, industrial facilities, and regional communities in Western Australia rely heavily on groundwater resources. In the Pilbara region, prolonged periods of below-average rainfall and reduced streamflow have increased pressure on aquifers that supply water to both towns and industry.
Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government have formed a 50:50 joint venture to complete Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant, a large-scale infrastructure project designed to diversify water sources and reduce dependence on groundwater extraction.
Once both stages are operational, the plant will deliver 8 gigalitres (GL) of desalinated water per year to the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme, which provides water to the towns of Karratha, Wickham, Dampier, Roebourne, and Point Samson, as well as the industrial areas of Cape Lambert and the Burrup Peninsula. The scheme itself is operated by Water Corporation.
Phased expansion of desalination capacity
Construction of Stage 1 is already underway and is expected to provide 4 GL of desalinated water annually once operational later this year. Stage 2, which will add an additional 4 GL per year, has also begun construction and is scheduled to deliver its first water supply in 2027.
The combined capacity of both phases will significantly reduce groundwater extraction from the Bungaroo and Millstream aquifers, which have historically supported the region’s water demand.
The A$1.1 billion desalination facility, operated by Rio Tinto, forms part of a broader strategy to diversify water resources in the Pilbara while supporting industrial activity and community water needs.
Addressing groundwater pressure in a dry climate
Over the past five years, the West Pilbara region has experienced rainfall and streamflow levels below long-term averages. Reduced precipitation has limited the natural recharge of key aquifers such as Millstream and Bungaroo, increasing concerns about long-term groundwater sustainability.
Lower groundwater availability affects not only industrial operations but also environmental ecosystems and cultural heritage sites connected to the aquifers. Traditional Owner groups have raised concerns regarding continued groundwater abstraction from these resources.
By introducing seawater desalination as an additional water source, the project aims to reduce reliance on groundwater and support more sustainable water management in the region.
Supporting industrial operations and regional communities
The West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme provides water to several towns and industrial zones that support Australia’s mining and export industries. Reliable water infrastructure is essential for maintaining mining operations, port activities, and local communities.
The desalination plant contributes to long-term water security for both residential users and industrial operations. It also supports regional development by providing a stable supply of treated water independent of rainfall variability.
As desalination plants convert seawater into potable or industrial-grade water through membrane-based filtration processes, they can operate continuously regardless of seasonal conditions, making them suitable for arid regions with limited freshwater resources.
Long-term water management in the Pilbara
The Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant builds on a 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government aimed at strengthening water security in the Pilbara.
By supplementing groundwater supplies with desalinated seawater, the project aims to balance industrial growth, environmental protection, and community water needs. The development also reduces pressure on aquifers that hold environmental and cultural significance in the region.
When fully operational, the plant will play a central role in diversifying water infrastructure in Western Australia’s resource-intensive Pilbara region while helping stabilize water supply for towns, industry, and ecosystems.
www.riotinto.com
