Construction of a new water treatment plant at Laramba community in the Northern Territory has been completed.
Power and Water contracted Clean TeQ Water to deliver the plant as part of the Northern Territory Government’s $28 million program to address critical water supply infrastructure needs in remote Aboriginal communities experiencing water stress and quality issues.
Northern Territory Minister for Essential Services, Selena Uibo, said, “This facility has been a long time coming for residents of Laramba.
“The Territory Labor Government is committed to improving living conditions for remote Territorians, and this includes ensuring a reliable and safe supply of drinking water.”
Onsite works commenced in July and were completed in December 2022. The new treatment plant will undergo product validation and operational testing in early 2023.
The improved water, which will have naturally-occurring uranium reduced by the treatment plant, will benefit the 300 residents in the community. With a capacity of 360 kilolitres per day, the plant uses an ion-exchange resin process to reduce the amount of uranium in the community’s water supply to below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines value.
Northern Territory Member for Gwoja, Chansey Paech, said, “People living on country have the same rights to safe drinking water as their urban counterparts.
“This facility is one that the people of Laramba need and it will make a significant difference in the community.
“Having a reliable water supply will also open further opportunities in the area.”
The plant will commence operation early this year.
