| Gold Coast Desalination Plant | |
|---|---|
| Desalination plant | |
| Location | Tugun, Queensland |
| Coordinates | [1] |
| Estimated output | 125 megalitres per day |
| Extended output | 167 megalitres per day |
| Cost | A$1.2 billion |
| Energy usage | Grid (renewable being discussed[2]) |
| Technology | Reverse Osmosis |
| Percent of water supply | 27% of South-Eastern Queensland |
| Operation date | February 2009 |
| Website | Gold Coast Desalination Plant |
The Gold Coast desalination project is a reverse osmosis, water desalination plant that supplies water to the Gold Coast and South East Queensland via the South East Queensland Water Grid, located in Tugun.
After investigations by the Gold Coast Desalination Alliance, the Gold Coast City Council chose Tugun as the most suitable site for the desalination plant. The cost is expected to be in excess of $1 billion. The GCD Alliance consists of Veolia Water, John Holland Group, and SureSmart Water, representing the State of Queensland.
Initial plans were for a $260 million plant producing 55 megalitres a day. The State Government then contributed $869 million to increase the output to 125 megalitres a day to share with the rest of southeast Queensland. There is potential to increase output to 167 megalitres a day, however the plant is currently a reserve site on the Queensland Water Commission's list of possible sites for future desalination plants. Lytton and either Marcoola or Bribie Island are the priority sites.
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In January 2009, rust and valve problems delayed the plant's opening.[3] The plant began operations in February 2009 and has been operating according to grid instructions since that time, except for a five week shutdown in May 2009 and a three month shutdown from June to August 2010 to repair previously identified defects. During the initial shutdown a formal investigation of these problems was undertaken.[4] In June 2009 some further faults were identified, all bar one of which have now been rectified with the final piece of work to be completed by the end of August 2010. These defects do not affect the plant's ability to produce clean safe water but had implications for its long term viability. The Queensland Government has refused to accept ownership of the plant until all problems are rectified.[5]
Tugun was selected as the preferred site for the proposed plant for a number of reasons. It has the least environmental impact when compared to the other short-listed sites. It has the lowest comparative net present value cost. The site is the only one to which sufficient power can be provided to enable the facility to be operational within the required timeframe. It is aligned with community values and expectations – community consultation conducted late last year highlighted that environmental impacts and cost were the most important issues when considering the location of the proposed plant. It is compatible with surrounding land use, is within close proximity to the ocean and hence requires the shortest intake and outtake pipelines of the three site options and the inlet and outlet pipes cross a minor fault line.
Ongoing monitoring is undertaken at the plant as part of its environmental licence. Underwater footage [1] shows an abundance of marine life is now active around artificial reefs that have been created on the marine structures. Community groups such as the Queensland Conservation Council and GECKO have expressed concern over environmental issues with the project. The carbon emissions from the desalination plant have been offset with the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs). The RECs have been produced by a range of renewable energy sources with the main source being solar hot water system installations. Other sources include solar photovoltaic, hydro and a small amount of wind.
A Queensland Water Commission report proposes "mothballing", all but closing the plant to reign in costs driving up household water bills. On the 5 December 2010, Natural Resources Minister, Stephen Robertson confirmed the plant will go into standby mode in December 2010 as a cost saving measure.[6] It is planned to restart operations if the combined water total for the region drops below 60%.[6]