SA Water Desalination Plant

18 Oct 2013

Members of The Combined Probus Club of Burnside were met at the Kauwi Interpretive Centre and given an introductory talk before boarding buses with guides to tour the Plant.

Members visited a viewing platform inside the Plant for an explanation of the operation and, after touring the Plant, were given further information and explanations.

Detailed consideration of the ecology and environment featured in the design and construction of the Plant.

Rather than deface the cliffs, intake and output shafts and tunnels locate the intake and outfall over 1km offshore. Rock reefs to stabilise equipment at these points now attract marine life to a previously barren area. Frequent sampling of the output is reported directly to the environmental authority. Native shrubbery is planted around the site and the buildings are designed to blend into the landscape.

The process of Reverse Osmosis uses 36,000 membranes under high pressure after 26,000 filters remove particles to 10 microns. Capacity is 300 megalitres per day and the Plant was running at 35 per cent capacity. It takes 25 minutes to process the water which is chemically treated before joining the metropolitan distribution system.

The need was emphasised to secure Adelaide’s water supply through periods of low rainfall and availability of water from other sources.