Manton Dam return to service

Project overview

Built in the 1940s with a storage capacity of 14,000 megalitres, Manton Dam was Darwin’s primary source of water until Darwin River Dam was commissioned in 1972. It was opened to recreation by the Northern Territory Government in the late 1980s and has been maintained since then as a potential future water supply source.

With demand for water in the region expected to double by 2050, and water storage levels in Darwin River Dam becoming increasingly affected by climate change and evaporation, it’s clear we need to plan for longer term.

As part of the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program, we are working to return Manton Dam to service as an operational drinking water supply source.

Manton Dam will continue to be a recreational resource for the community to enjoy. We are developing a new recreational management plan for the reservoir in collaboration with Parks and Wildlife.

We will will implement additional treatment measures to ensure the water pumped from Manton Dam meets stringent drinking water quality standards.

Once Manton Dam is returned to service, it will provide an additional 7,300 megalitres a year into the Darwin region water supply system.

Project timeline

The Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program – Stage 1 is jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory governments, delivered in partnership with Power and Water Corporation.