The Western Australian Government has announced it will increase Port Hedland’s water supply by 25 per cent, or just over five billion litres, to cope with increasing short to medium term demand.

 

The water has been made available to the Port Hedland Water Supply Scheme after the Department of Water approved an increased allocation to the Water Corporation.

 

A further 10 billion litres of water per year has been reserved from the West Canning Basin as ‘fit for purpose’ industrial use.

 

“The Department of Water has worked with the Water Corporation to improve understanding of the local aquifers to see if additional volumes can be sustainably abstracted,” State Minister for Water Bill Marmion said.

 

“The State Government is confident to commit this extra water to the scheme to support growth occurring in Port Hedland’s residential, business and industrial sectors.

 

“The corporation has projects under way to upgrade water infrastructure, such as storage tanks and pipelines, to cater for the increase in water supply. These are expected to be completed in 2013-14.

 

“The increased water allocation gives the Port Hedland community confidence to forge ahead with further development and expansion.”