Get onboard for Adelaide Desalination Plant tours

People can go behind the scenes of South Australia’s largest desalination plant and see how this critical piece of infrastructure turns seawater into safe, clean drinking water, by joining SA Water’s first community open day at the site for 2025.

Registrations are open for free tours being held this month at the facility in Adelaide’s south, which will offer insight into how the plant supports Adelaide’s drinking water security, including through the current sustained dry conditions.

SA Water’s Senior Manager Water Futures and Security Ashley Kingsborough said water production at the Adelaide Desalination Plant was ramped up earlier this year to help supplement Adelaide’s water sources during a period of higher-than-expected demand from customers and low inflows to the state’s reservoirs.

"Adelaide is supplied by 10 reservoirs throughout the Western Mount Lofty Ranges, water from the River Murray and the climate-independent desalination plant at Lonsdale – with this diversity and flexibility of sources protecting the city’s water security,” Ashley said.

“The plant is currently producing up to 300 megalitres – or 300 million litres – each day so now is an opportune time to see first-hand how it operates.

"Our Community Education team will be hosting guided bus tours of the plant, stopping at each key part of the desalination process, from pre-treatment to reverse osmosis and post treatment," Ashley said.

"These tours allow you to see behind the scenes and learn how important desalination is to South Australia’s water security now and throughout each year.”

The Adelaide Desalination Plant began operating in 2011 and is the largest plant of its kind in South Australia.

The community open day on Tuesday 25 March is free, but bookings are essential. Further tours will be added throughout the year, enabling individuals and small groups to visit the site and learn about the important work that happens there.

For more information – including clothing requirements for all visitors to the plant – and to book, follow the links under the Education and Community tab at sawater.com.au.

Contact: Tara Miko

Phone: 0448951418

Email: tara.miko@sawater.com.au