South Australian water treatment firm Guidera O’Conner has been awarded the contract to build a desalination plant at Hawker, in the State’s mid-north.
Minister for Water and the River Murray Ian Hunter says the announcement is a further step towards improving water quality for the Hawker community.
“SA Water has worked closely with the Hawker community and the Flinders Ranges Council to determine the most efficient and cost-effective solution to the region’s water quality issues,” he says.
“While Hawker’s water has remained well within safe drinking guidelines, feedback from the town’s residents and the Council has been that it’s too salty.
“The new desalination plant will treat existing groundwater and supply improved water to local customers.”
SA Water representatives last night met with the Flinders Ranges Council to update Councillors and staff about the awarding of the contract, as well as touring the proposed desalination plant site.
Minister Hunter says Guidera O’Conner is a South Australian-based company with a strong record of quality workmanship and successful project delivery.
“They have been involved with a number of successful infrastructure projects, including the Clapham and Wattle Park pump stations, the Bird in Hand Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade, and upgrades to water infrastructure in the State’s South East,” he says.
“I look forward to the company’s successful completion of this new reverse-osmosis desalination plant, which will deliver safe, clean water to the Hawker community.”
Construction of the plant is expected to be completed in late 2014.