Manton Dam Return to Service Project

Manton Dam Return to Service Rising Main and Water Treatment Plant 2024 – 2026

Exact is proud to provide Power and Water Corporation and the Northern Territory Government with a comprehensive design and construct solution for the Manton Dam Return to Service Project. Our design partners include Water Treatment Australia and Walbridge Gilbert Aztec. We have assembled a core group of skilled Exact employees, along with local subcontractors to support and execute the project efficiently. By mid-2026, Manton Dam will be officially connected to the Darwin Region water supply system.

The project involves

• Refurbishing the intake tower at Manton Dam.
• Design and construction of a new pump station at Manton Dam.
• Installation of 22 kilometres of 600mm diameter MSCL Steelmains pipeline from the pump station to the Water Treatment Plant.
• Design and construction of a Direct Air Flotation and Filtration (DAFF) Water Treatment Plant with a capacity of 20 megalitres per day, located at Cox Peninsula Road.
• Upgrading intersections and constructing internal roads and other civil works.

Project Background

Manton Dam, situated 70 km south of Darwin, was initially constructed by the Department of Defence during the Second World War. With a storage capacity of 14,000 megalitres, it provided a reliable supply of fresh water to Darwin.

Manton Dam continued as Darwin's primary water source until the commissioning of the Darwin River Dam in 1972. In the late 1980s, it was opened for recreational use by the Northern Territory Government and has since been maintained as a potential future water supply source. With water demand in the region projected to double by 2050, the NT Government has developed a long-term water management plan.

As part of the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program, Power and Water Corporation is working to restore Manton Dam as an operational drinking water source. While continuing to serve as a recreational resource for the Darwin community, Manton Dam will undergo additional treatment to meet stringent drinking water quality standards. A recreation management plan for the reservoir will be developed in collaboration with all stakeholders.

Exact Contracting are pleased to be apart of this significant Water Infrastructure project with its key partners, and look forward to undertaking future significant water infrastructure projects to improve the supply of high quality potable water across Australia.

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