Overview

The Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP) is the next major water source for Perth, Western Australia. The approximately $1.4 billion (AUD) plant is being delivered under an Alliance contract model with Water Corporation, Acciona Agua, Acciona Construction and Jacobs as partners. Collectively known as the Alkimos Seawater Alliance or ASWA, the Alliance partners share a common vision and values in delivering the works. ASWA D&C Alliance are responsible for design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup and performance testing of the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant. A second O&M Alliance contract, also with ASWA covers the subsequent operations and maintenance of the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant for a 10 year period and includes an option for a further 5 year extension.

The project includes 6.6km of subsea tunnelling, 50 gigalitre per annum Stage 1 Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant, 4.9 gigalitre per annum Eglinton Groundwater Scheme, 50 million litres of onsite drinking water storage and a variable speed drinking water pumping station to deliver all treated water to the Water Corporation's Integrated Water Supply System (IWSS). Co-locating the seawater desalination plant and and the Eglinton groundwater treatment facilities within the same site has allowed many synergies to be realised. The design provides for a future 50 gigalitre per annum expansion of the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant to an ultimate capacity of 100 gigalitres per annum.

This webinar will outline the Alkimos project, tunnelling works for seawater intake and brine outfall, the water treatment processes, Alliance delivery model and many of the innovative and sustainable initiatives that are being implemented.

Speakers

Bradley Allpike, Senior Principal Process Engineer, Jacobs

Brad is a Senior Principal Process Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the water treatment industry. He has a detailed understanding of water chemistry, treatment technologies and process design as well as operation and maintenance of water treatment assets applied to both potable and industrial applications. Brad has been involved in various project delivery phases including feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, detailed design, as well as construction and commissioning of water treatment plants across Australia, the Middle East, China and Southeast Asia.

David Crespo, Head of EPC bids - Water business, Acciona

Professional with over 15 years of experience at ACCIONA, specializing in water infrastructure, wastewater, drinking water and desalination projects. He leads the development of competitive bids for major water projects. Previously, as Acciona Agua Project Head for the Alkimos Desalination Plant in Perth, Australia (2023–2025), he managed operations for a critical water infrastructure project. His earlier roles include Engineering Manager for the Jubail 3B IWP (570 MLD SWRO + 62MWp PV) and Shuqaiq 3 IWP (450 MLD SWRO) projects, where he drove innovative engineering practices in multinational teams. As a Proposal Project Manager, he successfully led bids, including the Shuqaiq 3 desalination plant contract, and served as Design Manager and Process Lead for projects like the CRD Residuals Treatment Facility and Jebel Ali SWRO. David holds an Executive MBA (Grade A, 2023–2024) from Alliance Manchester Business School in partnership with EOI, an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Universidad de Cantabria (2003–2008), and a PMP® certification from the Project Management Institute (2018). He excels in collaborative, multicultural environments, delivering high quality outcomes through strategic leadership and innovative design solutions.

Damon Howes, Senior Principal Engineer, Special Projects, Water Corporation

Damon is a process engineer with 32 years experience in water and wastewater treatment. He has held senior engineering and commissioning positions on many major water infrastructure projects throughout Western Australia such as large seawater desalination plants, water recycling plants, wastewater reclamation plants and LNG produced water treatment plants. Several of the projects that Damon has worked on have been delivered under Alliance contract models.

The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter’s own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Water Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Time

08:00 – 09:15 BST.

Software

The presentation will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. We recommend downloading the app from the Microsoft website, rather than using the web portal.