The Western Australian Government has committed A$81 million to expand the Kwinana Water Reclamation Plant (KWRP), a project that is expected to increase the volume of recycled water available to industry in one of the state’s largest industrial precincts.
The expansion will add about 10 million litres of recycled water a day, described by the government as the equivalent of four Olympic-sized swimming pools. The additional supply is intended to give industrial users in the Kwinana Industrial Area greater certainty of access to water as they expand and diversify.
Operational since 2004, KWRP currently supplies almost 17 million litres of recycled water a day to major industrial customers. The expansion will increase production by about 60% and extend the plant’s operating life by around 25 years.
How the plant treats water
The plant uses microfiltration and reverse-osmosis treatment to process wastewater from nearby water resource and wastewater facilities, producing recycled water for industrial and cooling uses. According to the government, increasing recycling capacity will reduce demand on groundwater and scheme water supplies and lower water costs for industry.
Industrial demand in the Kwinana precinct
The government has linked the upgrade to growing water demand from sectors including green iron and steelmaking, battery mineral processing, and fuels and energy. The plant sits within the Western Trade Coast, an industrial region the government says contributes about A$20 billion a year to the national economy and supports around 30,000 jobs.
Construction of the first phase, delivered by Australian contractor BMD Constructions, is nearing completion. A second phase, construction of a new 3km supply pipeline, is due to begin in July.
Premier Roger Cook said the expansion would provide industry with a greater supply of recycled water to support economic growth, adding that Kwinana was positioned to play a larger role in global decarbonisation as an exporter of critical minerals and an emerging hub for green iron and steelmaking.
Water Minister Don Punch said demand for water in the Kwinana Industrial Area was increasing as established industries grew and new clean-energy sectors developed. He said recycling wastewater offered a cost-effective way to meet that demand while protecting scheme water and groundwater. The plant is operated by Water Corporation, the state-owned utility responsible for water services across Western Australia.
Frequently asked questions
How much recycled water will the expanded plant produce?
The Kwinana Water Reclamation Plant currently supplies almost 17 million litres of recycled water a day. The expansion will add about a further 10 million litres a day, an increase of roughly 60%.
Who uses the recycled water from KWRP?
The plant supplies major industrial customers in the Kwinana Industrial Area. The government has identified growing demand from green iron and steelmaking, battery mineral processing, and fuels and energy operations.
How is the water treated?
KWRP treats wastewater from nearby water resource and wastewater facilities using microfiltration and reverse-osmosis technology to produce recycled water suitable for industrial and cooling uses.
When will the expansion be completed?
Construction of the first phase is nearing completion. The second phase, a new 3km supply pipeline, is due to begin construction in July.
