The Victorian Desalination Project will be the largest desalination plant in Australia and one of the greenest in the world.

The plant is designed to deliver up to 150 billion litres (150GL) of fresh drinking water per year and can be expanded, if required, to 200 billion litres (200GL) per year.

The low profile, 38ha plant will be set amongst constructed dunes and restored wood and wet lands in a 225ha coastal park.

It will use the most energy-efficient method of desalinating water, reverse osmosis, and state-of-the art technology and processes.

World-leading energy recovery devices will significantly reduce power consumption.

Its world-class design includes a living green roof and one of the state’s largest ecological restoration programs.

The living green roof will be one of the largest ever created in Australia and will be covered with indigenous vegetation.  This will protect the plant from corrosion and reduce noise and maintenance.  

The roof and reconstruction of coastal dunes from soil excavated on the site ensure that the plant is integrated into the coastal landscape – making it barely visible from public viewing points.

The plant is being built on land that in the past has been cleared for farming and mining. Around four million plants and 150,000 trees will be planted to reinstate indigenous vegetation.

An ecologically sustainable landscape, the coastal park will include freshwater wetlands and woodland and coastal heath landscapes, providing a biodiverse habitat for local fauna. It will also provide 8km of walking, cycling and horse riding paths that link in with existing trails in the area for community use.

Fast facts

• 38ha for buildings, 225ha coastal park
• 150 billion litres per year
• 444 million litres a day capacity
• Can scale up to 200 billion litres per year
• Around 55,000 reverse osmosis membranes

Turning seawater into drinking water

Hover over a number to find out more about each part of the desalination plant.

1. Seawater is drawn in from the ocean through specially designed intake structures. Seawater is drawn at very low speeds – even small fish will be able to swim against the intake current – and a protective grill will ensure that larger marine life can't swim into the structure.
2. Seawater intake tunnel
   A long tunnel (approximately 1.2 km long) transports seawater to the plant site and protects the marine environment, including the beach and dune system.
3. Screening
   Seawater is screened and fine particles removed.
4. Pre-treatment filtration
   Seawater is filtered to remove solids such as any remaining sand and sediment.
5. Reverse Osmosis
   Filtered seawater passes through two stages of reverse osmosis, where it is pushed through ultra fine membranes under high pressure. Fresh water passes through, leaving seawater concentrate behind.
6. Remineralisation
   Desalinated water is remineralised to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and Victorian health requirements.
7. Drinking water is stored before it is distributed into the Melbourne and regional water networks, where it may be blended with water from existing catchments.
8. Drinking water is pumped into Melbourne’s water supplies.
9. Outlet tunnel
   A long tunnel (approximately 1.5km long) transports seawater under the dunes and coast, thereby protecting the environment.
10. Seawater is diffused into the ocean with specially designed nozzles to ensure it diffuses rapidly.
11. Coastal integration
    The spoil from earthworks is being used to create a series of new dunes, which will help integrate the plant with the natural landscape. It also helps to reduce emissions from construction by reducing truck movements and fuel consumption.
12. Living green roof
    A living green roof, covered with living indigenous ground covers, tussocks and low shrubs will help blend the plant into the natural landscape. The roof also provides acoustic protection, thermal control and reduce maintenance.
13. Ecological restoration
    The project will result in one of the largest ecological restoration programs ever undertaken in Victoria, with the creation of a 225ha coastal park complete with wetlands, coastal and swampy woodlands and new habitat for local fauna. A new network of pedestrian, cycling and horse riding paths on the plant site will link with existing trails.