Drought Response

• Before seawater enters the desalination process, sea water is passed through a media filtration removing the majority of silt and dissolved impurities.

• Any dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium and silica are prevented from crystallisation by using a scale inhibitor which is a crucial step prior to desalination. Scale inhibitors are typically organic compounds like carbon, alum, and zeolites.

• Salt water then passes through 5 x 1 micron cartridge filters under pressure. The process is not dissimilar to home filtration systems.

• After the water passes through the cartridge filters, it enters a system pump where it is pressurised prior to entering the Desalination Reverse Osmosis pressure vessels.

• Fresh water is then pumped to a 1,000,000 Litre storage tank, ready for distribution.

• Yes. Reverse Osmosis desalination is one the safest and most effective way to produce fresh water.

• After the filtering process, there are two streams: one brine and the other freshwater. The brine solution is returned to the sea.

• Daily system monitoring of desalination production performance.

• Regular testing is performed to monitor quality of water and brine discharge.

• As important as water security is for our community, protecting our marine environment is of equal importance . 

• The location of the desal was approved by Marine Parks as the wave action in that area would quickly disperse the brine by-product.

• The desal system only produces 20,000 litres of fresh water in a 24-hour period so the brine is a drop in the ocean (pardon the pun) which is roughly equivalent to 75 household buckets per hour of operation.

• After careful examination of the system processes, the Director of National Parks, Marine and Island Parks granted a Marine Park Activity Permit to carry out works associated with installation and operation of a desalination plant under sections 354-354A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Regulation 12.11 of the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000.

• Brine discharge is monitored & tested in accordance with the Marine Parks permit. 

Currently the desalination plant is producing 20,000 litres per day or 140,000 every 7 days.

The community is using approximately 100,000 litres per week (as at 6 February 2025).

While desalinated water is more expensive than traditional fresh water sources, it is currently a vital key in NI Drought Response Level High.

The costs come from energy usage, infrastructure, and maintenance.

• Energy Consumption: Desalination requires a significant amount of energy, especially in the reverse osmosis process, which uses high pressure to force the seawater through membranes to remove salt and other impurities. The energy cost can make up a large portion of the total operating expenses.
• Infrastructure and Maintenance: The plant itself, as well as the pipes, pumps, and other equipment needed to process and distribute the water, is expensive to install and maintain. The membranes used in reverse osmosis need to be replaced periodically as well.

Addressing droughts in the long term requires a multi-faceted approach that combines both sustainable water management practices and innovative technologies.

• Our primary focus right now is managing the ongoing drought response to protect the health and well-being of the community. Droughts can have serious social and environmental effects.
• It's crucial that we, as a community, avoid negative misinformation and refrain from undermining those who are working hard to support the community.
• Stay positive, resilient, and supportive each other.
• The importance of water conservation cannot be overstated. With very little rainfall expected, desalination plays a crucial role in supplying water to our community.
• The desalination plant is a critical infrastructure in our current drought conditions, helping to provide a consistent source of fresh water while our natural resources are scarce.
• It's a poignant reminder of how interconnected our water systems are in the community and how vital it is to conserve every drop, whether from desalination or other sources.
• Make a wish for rain.