A substantial investment of $238.5 million has been initiated for the upgrade of Western Australia's largest water resource recovery facility, the Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility in Munster. Operated by Water Corporation, this wastewater treatment plant currently handles 150 million litres of wastewater daily from approximately 900,000 homes and businesses in Perth's southern suburbs.
As part of a three-year project announced by Water Minister Simone McGurk, the facility will undergo progressive enhancements to handle 120 tonnes of organic matter daily, aligning with the region's growing population and increased wastewater inflows. The upgrade will also incorporate advanced energy recovery technology to capture and reuse more biogas, predominantly methane, generated during the treatment process, as a renewable energy source.
Anticipated benefits include a significant reduction of approximately 5,600 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually, contributing to Water Corporation's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2035. Centralizing solids treatment at Woodman Point and improving overall treatment efficiency will lead to around 1,000 fewer truck movements annually, further lowering emissions by about 1,300 tonnes CO2-e per year.
The project, carried out by joint venture partners Clough and Jacobs Group Australia, is expected to generate nearly 300 local jobs and allocate approximately $174 million to subcontractors in Western Australia. Wastewater is no longer viewed as mere waste; instead, it is treated and repurposed as a valuable resource to alleviate strain on essential water supplies. Water Corporation aims to recycle up to 35% of all wastewater in the Perth metropolitan area by 2035.
Water Minister Simone McGurk emphasized the innovation in wastewater treatment, recycling, and repurposing, stating that the Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility, serving over 900,000 homes and businesses, will establish a new benchmark in sustainable resource recovery. This significant investment by the government is expected to create jobs, meet the demands of a growing population, reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and highlight wastewater as a valuable resource.
Cockburn MLA David Scaife emphasized the facility's crucial role in servicing the community, especially in Perth's southern corridor. The upgrades are designed to ensure the facility can efficiently and sustainably meet the community's needs, accommodating population growth well into the future.
