Construction of the new Darwin River Dam pump station has nearly reached the halfway mark, the Northern Territory Government has announced.
Delivered by McMahon Services, the $29 million project is designed to improve the reliability of water supply to the Darwin region.
The main pump hall construction basement, complete with above ground walls and steel structure, is set to be installed over the coming months.
Construction of the pump station’s ancillary buildings are also underway, with the high voltage switch room, power intake building and transformer bays progressing.
Northern Territory contractors are being used to carry out the associated earthworks, including building pad construction, trenching for electrical and fibre optic cable conduits, and improvements to stormwater drainage.
The new pump station is designed to be more efficient, hydraulically and economically, during the dry season and other times when higher flows are experienced.
Darwin River Dam provides 85 per cent of the Darwin Region’s water supply, which is driven through the current pump station, built in 1972. Water is distributed to customers in the Darwin water system network, including Palmerston and surrounding areas.
The new pump station will improve the reliability of supply and provide the ability to take the existing pump station offline for major refurbishment works on the mechanical equipment, electrical systems and building.
The project is designed to provide increased pumping capacity and prudent redundancy to support the future growth in the region and maintain security of the water supply network.
Construction is due to be completed in 2025.
Northern Territory Minister for Essential Services, Kate Worden, said, “The upgrade of the Darwin River Dam pump station will ensure residents in the Darwin region will have a secure water supply into the future.
“The Northern Territory Government can make these investments into our power and water system because these assets are owned by Territorians.
“Only the Northern Territory Government will keep these assets in the hands of Territorians,” Ms Worden said.
Power and Water Executive General Manager, Stephen Vlahovic, said, “Power and Water’s investment on this important project will complement the Manton Dam Return to Service and Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage projects to meet increased demand from population and industry growth.
“The new pump station is one of our highest priority water capital projects and we are proud to deliver an even more reliable water future for the Darwin community.”