Reviewing SEQ Water Grid operations to ensure they are continuously optimised to match available water supplies with current and projected water demands.

Proceeding with the planning and connection of supplies from the Logan River, including Wyaralong Dam, to the SEQ Water Grid, and a new water treatment plant.

Working with power station customers to update projected water demands and ensure optimised supply and best use of the Grid.

Progressing the development of a business case to investigate the proposed upgrade of the existing Gold Coast Desalination Plant at Tugun to increase capacity.

Undertaking a detailed business case to explore opportunities for a new desalination plant for the region (likely to be required by 2035) including potential locations, capacity and timing of delivery.

Examining further opportunities to utilise the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme to supply to industry and agricultural customers to offset some potable demand. The Scheme will also continue to remain a drought response measure.

Working with SEQ Retailer Customers - Urban Utilities, Unitywater, Logan Water, Redland City Council and the City of Gold Coast - to update and refine water demand forecasts to inform ongoing planning and ensure timely and efficient investment in water infrastructure.

Ensuring SEQ is well placed to maintain sufficient supply during the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games to meet demands from the transient population.

South East Queensland’s population is set to grow. From the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast, the SEQ Water Grid is the backbone of SEQ’s bulk water supply network to ensure we meet demand.

Connecting a range of dams, treatment plants, reservoirs and pump stations, the SEQ Water Grid allows treated drinking water to be moved around the region as required via 600 kilometres of pipelines.

We’re constantly reviewing the operation of the SEQ Water Grid, and are making enhancements to the network to cater for growing communities.

We’re expanding the SEQ Water Grid to serve growing communities, including the new South West Pipeline that will bolster future water security for the growing Beaudesert area.

We’re also ensuring we make the most of existing assets, exploring a new water treatment plant to connect the existing Wyaralong Dam to the SEQ Water Grid.

We’ll continue to work with SEQ Retailer Customers to update and refine water demand forecasts to inform ongoing planning and ensure timely and efficient investment in water infrastructure.

Converting those waves to fresh, clean drinking water.

A key strategy of the Water Security Program 2023 is exploring the increased production of desalinated water in South East Queensland.

Desalination is the process of removing salt and impurities from seawater to produce safe, clean drinking water – without relying on rain.

Maintaining a diverse mix of bulk water sources, inclusive of climate-independent sources, is key to addressing water security challenges.

We’re investigating a proposed expansion of the existing Gold Coast Desalination Plant at Tugun, with a detailed business case underway.

We’re also exploring a second desalination plant for the region, which is likely to be required around 2035.

How does desalination work? Seawater undergoes a multi-staged treatment process to remove salt and impurities and ensure it meets strict drinking water guidelines.

In addition to providing safe, reliable drinking water for South East Queenslanders, Seqwater also delivers water to 1,200 irrigation customers and industry customers for electricity production.

We’re working with power station customers to update projected water demands and ensure optimised supply and best use of the SEQ Water Grid.

We’ll also examine further opportunities to utilise purified recycled water to supply to industry and agricultural customers to offset some potable demand.

South East Queensland can be subject to a climate of extremes.

Our region has a comprehensive Drought Response Plan in place which outlines the different actions and mitigation measures we take in accordance with dam levels across the SEQ Water Grid.

As part of the Water Security Program 2023, Seqwater has updated the drought response plan, which has been tested through modelling and achieves the desired level of service objectives set by the Queensland Government.

Maintaining a diverse mix of bulk water sources, inclusive of climate-independent sources, is key to addressing water security challenges. In addition to the Gold Coast Desalination Plant, the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme is an important climate-resilient drought response measure and can be considered should SEQ Water Grid storage levels fall below 40%.

Water Security Status

We regularly check Water Grid storage levels, consumption and other factors which impact our water security position. Where needed, we adapt our operation of the Water Grid and implementation of our planning to reduce water security risks. Our Water Security Status Report provides information on our Water Grid Storage levels and drought response for the Water Grid and off-grid communities.