Darwin River Dam Pump Station reaches construction milestone

13 March 2024

Water is a key enabler for urban, economic and agricultural growth, and will play a large role in reaching the Territory Labor Government's goal of becoming a $40 billion economy by 2030.

Construction of the new Darwin River Dam pump station, which will improve the reliability of water supply to the Darwin region, has nearly reached the halfway mark.

McMahon Services is completing this $29 million project, employing 100 Territorians, with the main pump hall construction basement complete with above ground walls and steel structure to be installed over the next few months.

Construction of the Pump Station’s ancillary buildings are also underway, with the High Voltage Switch room, Power intake building and the Transformer bays coming along.

Territory contractors are being used to carry out the associated earthworks, including building pad construction, trenching for electrical and fibre optic cable conduits, and improvements to stormwater drainage.

The new pump station will be hydraulically and economically more efficient during the Dry Season and other times when higher flows are experienced.

Darwin River Dam provides 85 per cent of the Darwin Region’s water supply, which is driven through the current pump station, built in 1972. Water is distributed to customers in the Darwin water system network, including Palmerston and surrounding areas.

The new pump station will improve the reliability of supply and provide the ability to take the existing pump station offline for major refurbishment works on the mechanical equipment, electrical systems and building.

Investment in this project will provide increased pumping capacity and prudent redundancy to support the future growth in the region and maintain security of our water supply network, with construction due to be complete in 2025.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Essential Services Kate Worden:

“The upgrade of the Darwin River Dam pump station will ensure residents in the Darwin region will have a secure water supply into the future.

“The Territory Labor Government can make these investments into our power and water system because these assets are owned by Territorians.

“Only a Territory Labor Government will keep these assets in the hands of Territorians.”

Quotes attributable to Power and Water Executive General Manager Stephen Vlahovic:

“Power and Water’s investment on this important project will complement the Manton Dam Return to Service and Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage projects to meet increased demand from population and industry growth.

“The new pump station is one of our highest priority water capital projects and we are proud to deliver an even more reliable water future for the Darwin community.”

Northern Territory Government