Gold Coast Desalination Plant facts for kids
| Desalination plant | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tugun, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 28°09′26″S 153°29′49″E / 28.1571°S 153.497°E |
| Estimated output | 125 megalitres per day |
| Extended output | 167 megalitres per day |
| Cost | A$1.2 billion |
| Energy usage | Grid (renewable being discussed) |
| Technology | Reverse Osmosis |
| Percent of water supply | 27% of South-Eastern Queensland |
| Operation date | February 2009 |
| Website | Gold Coast Desalination Plant |
The Gold Coast Desalination Plant is a special factory that turns salty ocean water into fresh, clean drinking water. It's located in Tugun, Queensland, a beautiful seaside town on the Gold Coast, Queensland. This plant can produce about 125 ML/d (46 gigalitres per year) of fresh water every day. That's a lot of water!
Contents
What is Desalination?
Desalination is a process that removes salt and other minerals from water. Think of it like a giant filter. The word "desalination" means "removing salt." It's a way to get fresh water from the sea, which is super important in places where fresh water is scarce.
How Does the Plant Work?
The Gold Coast plant uses a method called reverse osmosis. This is a very clever way to clean water.
The Reverse Osmosis Process
- Step 1: Taking in Seawater. The plant takes in water from the ocean. This water is full of salt and tiny particles.
- Step 2: Pre-treatment. Before the main cleaning, the seawater goes through filters. These filters remove bigger things like sand, seaweed, and other bits. It's like straining pasta before you eat it.
- Step 3: High Pressure. The pre-treated water is then pushed through special membranes at very high pressure. These membranes are like super-fine sieves. They have tiny holes that are big enough for water molecules to pass through, but too small for salt and other impurities.
- Step 4: Fresh Water and Brine. As the water passes through the membranes, the salt and other stuff are left behind. The clean water is called "permeate" or fresh water. The leftover salty water, called "brine," is sent back to the ocean.
- Step 5: Post-treatment. The fresh water is then treated a little more. Things like chlorine might be added to make sure it's safe to drink. Minerals might also be added back to make it taste good.
- Step 6: Ready to Drink. Finally, the clean, fresh water is pumped into the water supply system. It then travels to homes and businesses in South-Eastern Queensland.
Why Do We Need It?
The Gold Coast Desalination Plant is a very important part of the water supply for South-Eastern Queensland.
Water Security
Australia can have very dry periods, called droughts. When there isn't enough rain, dams can get low. The desalination plant provides a reliable source of water, even when it's not raining. It helps make sure people always have enough clean water for drinking, washing, and other daily needs. It supplies about 27% of the region's water.
Cost and Energy
Building this plant cost about A$1.2 billion. It uses electricity from the main power grid to operate. People are always looking for ways to make these plants use less energy or use more renewable energy sources, like solar or wind power.
When Did It Start?
The Gold Coast Desalination Plant started working in February 2009. It was built to help the region during a very serious drought.
