Australia's Northern Territory has moved the Manton Dam Return to Service project into the commissioning stage, with Xinhua reporting today that the $174 million investment is about to add 7,300 megalitres of water annually to Darwin's supply by the end of 2026.
The announcement comes from the Northern Territory government, which noted that the 174 million Australian dollar ($114 million U.S. dollars) cost was $15 million below the initial budget.
The $174 million investment will upgrade a range of infrastructure, including the modernization of an existing reservoir intake tower, a new Strauss Water Treatment Plant, a pump station, and 22 kilometres of pipeline to join Darwin's supply system.
Once the treatment plant goes live, water drawn from Manton Dam will be added to Darwin’s supply network, bringing an extra 7,300 megalitres of potable water each year.
The project is part of the first stage of the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program and is jointly financed by the federal government and the Northern Territory government.
Over the past two years, construction has employed more than 111 staff members and 500 contractors, creating local jobs and supporting surrounding businesses.
The commissioning phase, now underway, involves testing of the new treatment system and integration with existing distribution lines to ensure seamless delivery.
The upgraded intake tower will enable the dam to handle higher flow rates, while the new pipeline network reduces water loss and improves delivery reliability.
Xinhua reported that water from Manton Dam is expected to enter the Darwin region’s supply chain by the end of 2026, securing water supply against future droughts.
As of now, only Xinhua has disclosed the commissioning phase details, positioning the project as the region’s most significant water infrastructure development in five decades.
