The Bungaroo water facility will deliver up to 10 gigalitres of water per year for commercial use at Rio’s Pilbara ports, and for domestic use at Dampier and Wickham.

A bore field built in the lower Bungaroo Valley near Pannawonica and an 87km pipeline connect to the Water Corporation’s water supply scheme at Millstream.

“The commissioning of this facility secures a sustainable water source for the expansion of capacity towards 360 million tonnes a year,” Rio CEO iron ore, Japan, Korea and China Andrew Harding said.

“It also benefits the growing local communities on the Pilbara coast by reducing water demand from existing sources at the Millstream aquifer.

“This new facility also supports the state government’s Pilbara Cities initiative and demonstrates Rio Tinto’s commitment to the region.”

Rio has surrendered its previous entitlement to water from Millstream and will manage the facility remotely from the Mesa J mine and operations centre in Perth, with data telemetered to the Water Corporation.

“The new water supply provided by Bungaroo has enabled Rio Tinto to relinquish its water entitlements from Millstream, freeing up significantly more water for Karratha and surrounding communities,” Barnett said today.

“This is a great example of the state government working with industry to deliver benefits to regional communities.”

Rio shares last traded 0.2% higher at $A62.95.