Solving problems comes as second nature to Ampcontrol, one of Australia’s largest and most successful electrical engineering and manufacturing companies. When presented with the challenge of delivering drinkable water to a remote, indigenous community approximately 75 km from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, the team set about engineering a solution that could be maintained and supported locally.

 

Partnering with Aurecon on the design of the hydrology system, Ampcontrol devised a unique and entirely portable solution that literally transforms undrinkable bore water into pure water. The parties dubbed this Project Gilghi, with Gilghi meaning “water” or “place of water” in the Barkindji indigenous language.

 

“Innovation is very much a part of the culture at Ampcontrol, and we specialise in electrical design and advanced manufacturing. We are grateful for this opportunity provided by the Northern Territory Department of Local Government, Housing and Community Development and Ingkerreke Outstations Resource Services. Our partnership with Aurecon meant we were able to leverage the respective strengths of our two organisations and deliver a truly unique solution” said Ampcontrol’s CEO and Managing Director, Rod Henderson.

 

After months of collaborative engineering between Ampcontrol and Aurecon specialists to devise the reverse osmosis water treatment plant and electrical infrastructure to power the system, what looks like a shipping container with solar panels has meant the people of Gillen Bore have immediate access to clean, contaminant free drinking water.