Desalination Plant ramps up to prepare for Commonwealth Games

The Gold Coast Desalination Plant is ramping up its water production to allow critical maintenance to be undertaken on Gold Coast water infrastructure ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark Bailey said maintenance was being undertaken at the Mudgeeraba Water Treatment Plant, one of the two major treatment plants supplying the Gold Coast.

“We are making sure all of our critical water infrastructure undergoes any required maintenance and checks ahead of the Commonwealth Games,’’ he said.

“While our Mudgeeraba plant is off line, we will be increasing the production of the desalination plant to provide up to 88 million litres of drinking water each day to supply more than 170,000 residents on the southern Gold Coast.”

The maintenance work at the Mudgeeraba plant is scheduled to begin today and take about eight days to complete.

Suburbs to be supplied include Robina, Palm Beach, Currumbin and Mudgeeraba.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Jim Pruss said increasing the production of the desalination plant was the best option available to deliver the ongoing supply of a safe and reliable water supply while the maintenance is performed.

“The desalination plant was built in 2010, and generally operates in ‘hot standby’ mode, ready to increase production if and when required. It is the fifth time since 2015 that the desalination plant has been used to maintain drinking water supply outside of emergencies,” he said.

Mr Bailey said the desalination plant formed a vital part of the Australian-first SEQ Water Grid – built by Labor government - which connects major water sources across South East Queensland.

“When running at 100 per cent capacity, the Gold Coast Desalination Plant can contribute 133 million litres of water a day to South East Queensland’s drinking water supplies,” he said. “Based on population growth and demand, the plant may be required to supplement peak demand on the Gold Coast during the summer as early as 2019-2020.”

ENDS

Media contact: Zoe Russell – 0428 079 640

Seqwater (07) 3247 3000 or email media@seqwater.com.au