Final stage of $25.7 million program to improve water quality in Murchison complete

• Meekatharra joins Mount Magnet, Cue, and Sandstone in receiving better tasting, higher quality water.
• The Meekatharra plant is powered by renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and operating costs.
• McGowan Government to invest more than $29 million in Mid-West water and wastewater projects in the next four years.

The final stage of a $25.7 million project to improve water quality in the Murchison is now complete, with Water Minister Dave Kelly today announcing completion of an advanced water treatment plant at Meekatharra.

It follows Water Corporation's successful delivery of similar plants in Mount Magnet, Cue and Sandstone since late 2020.

The plants use a process called Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) to separate naturally occurring salts from water, reducing nitrate levels, salinity and hardness.

Residents will see improvements in taste and water quality. Similar plants in Wiluna and Yalgoo have seen reductions in nitrate levels of up to 75 per cent.

The Meekatharra EDR plant will harness renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions and operating costs, while allowing the plant to continue operating during power outages. 

To celebrate completion of the plant, Meekatharra will join Water Corporation's 2022-23 Waterwise Towns Program in October. The program provides tailored rebates to regional towns across WA to assist communities to reduce water usage. To learn more visit watercorporation.com.au/waterwiseoffers.

The McGowan Government has invested $180 million in new water infrastructure in the Mid-West since 2017 with an additional $29 million allocated to water and wastewater projects across the region over the next four years.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"Today marks completion of an important project that will deliver residents in these four communities better tasting, higher quality water long into the future.

"Through Water Corporation, the McGowan Government is investing more than $29 million in new water projects in the Mid-West over the next four years, including $17.5 million in the current financial year. 

"This investment will allow communities across the region to grow and develop with the support of secure, sustainable water infrastructure."

Comments attributed to Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster:

"The Meekatharra water plant is one more way the McGowan Government is delivering for the Murchison and its communities.

"By harnessing renewables, we've turned this project into a win for the residents and the environment.

"While this is the culmination of the McGowan Government's mission to improve water quality in the Mid-West, I'm very happy to see the announcement of further investments in water projects well into the future."