McGowan Government delivering better quality water to Murchison region

Water Minister Dave Kelly, Hon Kyle McGinn MLC, Member for Mining & Pastoral Region, with Water Corporation’s Catherine Fewings, Brae Torr and John D'Arcy.

• Advanced water treatment plants improving water quality in Cue and Sandstone
• New plants part of $24 million program to improve water quality in the Murchison region
• New water treatment plant in Meekatharra online in early 2022
• McGowan Government has invested $152 million in Mid-West water projects since 2017

Water Minister Dave Kelly today announced completion of another two advanced water treatment plants in the Murchison region, with residents in Cue and Sandstone now benefiting from improved water quality.

As part of the McGowan Government's $24 million program to improve water quality in the region, the new plants were delivered by Water Corporation and use a process called electrodialysis reversal (EDR) to reduce naturally occurring nitrates and salinity in groundwater.

These new plants follow the successful commissioning of a similar plant in Mount Magnet in late 2020, with another plant in Meekatharra expected to be online by early 2022.

EDR plants already operating in the northern Goldfields communities of Yalgoo and Wiluna have helped reduce nitrate levels in drinking water by as much as 75 per cent.

Cue's plant, like those in Mount Magnet and Meekatharra, is powered by renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, lowering operating costs, and allowing the site to operate during network power outages.

To mark the plant's commissioning, Cue and Sandstone have also been added to Water Corporation's 2021-22 Waterwise Towns program. Cue residents can now exchange old, inefficient showerheads for waterwise alternatives under a program called Showerhead Swap, with Sandstone's free plumbing service due to launch soon. 

Mount Magnet joined the program last year while Meekatharra will be added once their EDR plant is complete in early 2022. To learn more visit https://www.watercorporation.com.au/waterwiseoffers

Since mid-2017, the McGowan Government has invested $152 million in new water infrastructure in the Mid-West. A further $87 million has been allocated to water projects across the region over the next four years.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"We've listened to the community and delivered a project that will provide higher quality water to Cue and Sandstone residents long into the future.

"These plants represent part of a $24 million investment by the McGowan Government to improve water quality across the region and will soon be followed by the remaining plant in Meekatharra.

"It's also fantastic to see Cue and Sandstone join the Waterwise Towns program and I would encourage residents to take advantage of the free Showerhead Swap program to help reduce their household water use."

Comments attributed to Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster:

"This is a very welcome announcement that has real benefits for the Murchison region.

"Powering these plants through renewables not only reduces carbon emissions, it also means they are self-sufficient and powered during outages, ensuring a more reliable supply of quality water for the residents."

Minister's office - 6552 6100

New water tanks in Sandstone.