AFTER five months of investigation, a new site at Sleaford West has been recommended as the preferred location for a desalination plant on Eyre Peninsula.
A 22-member Site Selection Committee, made up of local community and industry, found a site on the western side of Sleaford Bay was "best-placed" to deliver vital water security to the region, while also minimising the impact on the environment, community and related industries.
The new site at Sleaford West, which had not been specifically considered before, was selected ahead of Point Boston and Sleaford North.
The SSC said the site was the "most favourable" in the categories of environmental management, and social and community benefit.
But it ranked second to Point Boston in the category of technical, including constructability and cost.
SSC chair Peter Treloar said that while the committee was confident in its decision, there remained a lot of work to do to secure a suitable funding pathway and ensure a cost-effective approach to construction.
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"The next few weeks will be important as the SSC has discussions with state and federal governments about funding pathways and the project team begins geotechnical investigations at the new Sleaford West site," he said.
"While we do not expect it will be necessary, Point Boston, which ranked a close second in the assessment process, may need to be considered, should an issue with funding or geotechnical conditions emerge at the preferred Sleaford West location."
Mr Treloar said the decision was an important step in assuring local long-term water security, as without a desalination plant, it is forecast the EP will be without a sufficient supply of potable water by 2025.
"There are challenges and opportunities at every site, but the SSC has decided that this new site at Sleaford West, which varies from other sites previously considered, has the most opportunities when it comes to delivering water to businesses and the wider EP community," he said.
The new site at Sleaford West will be considered by SA Water Minister Susan Close and SA Water, who will ultimately make the final decision on the location of the plant within the next few months.