University of Western Australia centre for water research scientists released a red dye into the ocean off Binningup on Saturday morning to give a visual demonstration of how water moves in the area.

The experiment will help scientists understand how well the ocean would be able to disperse the highly saline water pumped back into the ocean from the plant.

Water research centre deputy director Jason Antenucci said early results indicated the site was well suited and matched key criteria.

“The ideal place is where there is a lot of wave action, very little fringing reef and is exposed to wind,” he said.

Dr Antenucci said he was confident the plant would not affect marine life or reef areas and the discharge would be back to a background level of salinity within a one kilometre of the discharge site.

He said it was expected that Binningup would have a far better ability to disperse the highly saline water than Cockburn Sound, the site of the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant.

The Water Corporation is due to release its draft Environmental Scoping Document for the South West plant on Monday, where it will be open for a two week public review period.

Water Corporation Regional Business Manager Chris Elliott said the document would outline environmental investigations the corporation planned to undertake as part of the approvals process for the plant and the pipeline which will transfer water to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme.

The draft Southern Seawater Desalination Project Environmental Scoping Document will be available from Monday until December 10 at www.waterco rporation.com.au or by calling 1800 810 075.

Hard copies will also be available at the Binningup and Harvey public libraries.