In August 2018, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported that drought in eastern Australia was driving up demand for desalination. Melbourne Water advised the Victorian government to order 100 million m³ from the Victorian Desalination Plant for the year from 1 April 2019 and 125 million m³ the year after. Sydney Desalination Plant prepared for a restart, due once dam storage fell to 60 per cent, against 66.9 per cent at the time. SA Water bought 60 hectares at Sleaford Bay for an $80 million plant.
The report showed the 2018 drought prompting decisions on existing and new desalination plants in three states at once, with desalination serving as a reserve for dry years.