Reverse Osmosis Solutions Engineered for Australia's Harshest Conditions

Our story

For more than 35 years, one family-owned West Australian business has built desalinators tough enough to run where others fail.

Every CITOR seawater system is hand-built and tested at our Perth facility before it ships —no shortcuts, no outsourced assembly, no guesswork.

Since 1987, thousands of our systems have delivered freshwater across the Asia Pacific and beyond. That’s reliability proven in the field, not promised in a lab.

35 Years of Reverse Osmosis Refinement

Continuous engineering development since 1987 has refined our system design, membrane selection, and materials specification. That accumulated knowledge translates directly into more reliable, longer-lasting desalination equipment.

1970's

Hansen-Knarhoi Family is involved in the development of membrane technology in collaboration with N.A.S.A. The family become the first people to build and market commercial desalination systems in the southern hemisphere in the 1970's.

1987

Hansen-Knarhoi Family founds Citor Pty Ltd to commercially utilise the significant advances in membrane technology, now proven to be reliable and durable.

1990's

CITOR expands into rugged systems for remote sites, mining exploration camps, and WA’s boating industry.

2000

CITOR launches customised island and resort packages for remote tropical locations, including Bali and the Philippines.

2012

New technology introduced allowing fully automatic operations on all desalination units.

2025

‘Changing of the guard’ – Anthony and Sarah Unmack acquire CITOR. Founders and operators of Desalworks, a Perth marine desalination business, the purchase of CITOR was a natural expansion.

About the team at CITOR

Two CITOR team members in branded shirts standing in the Perth workshop

Anthony and Sarah, Owners and Founders of Desalworks, expanded their footprint in the water industry with the acquisition of CITOR in 2025 — reinforcing their long‑standing commitment to high‑quality desalinationand reliable water solutions. Together, they form a balanced leadership team — combining practical engineering knowledge with structured, efficient business management to deliver reliable, service‑focused desalination solutions.

Anthony Unmack

Across his career, Anthony has worked in Commercial Real Estate, Manufacturing and Machinery, and Hospitality, building a broad skillset and a grounded, hands‑on approach to business. With years of operational experience and a reputation for honest, reliable work, he brings a unique blend of technical understanding, commercial insight, and genuine passion for desalination.

Sarah Unmack

Sarah brings more than 20 years of experience in administration and business operations across corporate environments. With a proactive approach, exceptional organisational capability and strong problem‑solving skills, her refined skill set perfectly complement Anthony’s technical expertise and commercial acumen.

LOCALLY MANUFACTURED

Perth-Based Manufacturing and Quality Control

Hand-built construction isn’t a marketing claim — it’s an engineering method. Complex membrane assemblies, high-pressure pump configurations, and control system integration demand skilled fabrication and testing that mass production simply can’t replicate.

Close-up of a pump and valve assembly on the CITOR workshop bench

CITOR offers the full manufacturing lifecycle in-house. Design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and commissioning are all done under one roof, under one team's direct oversight. Nothing leaves the building without being tested by the people who built it.

WHY CHOOSE LOCAL

Complete Quality Control Over Every Build

Materials selection, fabrication standards, and assembly processes are controlled from the first weld to the final pressure test. Every membrane housing is torqued to spec, and every unit is built against the same documented standard — whether it's the first system off the line or the five-hundredth.

Direct Engineering Support, Not via a Call Centre

Custom specifications and mid-build modifications go straight to the engineers who designed the system. When a client's water chemistry or site conditions call for a change, that change happens on the manufacturing floor, with the same team that produced the original specification.

Maintained Component and Spare Parts Inventory

Critical components, membranes, and replacement parts are stocked on-site and ready to ship. For systems operating in remote or offshore locations, that inventory is what keeps a scheduled service call or an urgent repair measured in days rather than the weeks a freight-in part would take.

Testing and Commissioning Before Dispatch

Before any system leaves North Fremantle, it's run through factory acceptance testing under simulated operating conditions. Water chemistry modelling — matching membrane selection, pre-treatment, and system configuration against the client's actual source water — happens before manufacturing begins, and pressure, flow, and salinity performance are verified before commissioning sign-off.

Built to Australian Standards

Electrical safety, mechanical safety, and pressure vessel construction are certified to Australian standards as a baseline, regardless of the system's eventual deployment location — from a Perth marina to an offshore platform in the Asia Pacific.

High-pressure pump head for a reverse osmosis system

Aerial view of cattle yards on an outback station

Proven Performance Across Demanding Applications

CITOR systems are already at work in some of the toughest places freshwater is needed — commercial and offshore marine, remote mine sites, island resorts, agricultural properties, and government and defence installations across Australia, the Asia-Pacific, and beyond. Wherever infrastructure is limited and conditions are unforgiving, our systems keep producing.

FAQs

Answers to common questions about CITOR — our background, manufacturing and how we work with clients.

Do you have customer references or case studies available?

Yes. CITOR has extensive operational track record and can provide references or discuss representative projects (subject to client confidentiality). CITOR can arrange direct client references, site visits to operating installations, and written testimonials relevant to your application.

Can I visit the CITOR facility?

Yes. We welcome facility visits by appointment. Contact CITOR at 0402 157 711 or info@citor.com.au to schedule a visit.

Do you work with international clients?

Yes. CITOR exports reverse osmosis systems internationally and has installations across the Asia-Pacific region, Middle East, and beyond.

CITOR provides complete project support for international installations including engineering, manufacturing, export documentation, international freight, electrical compatibility for various voltage/frequency standards, on-site commissioning, and ongoing technical support.

Existing International Presence:

CITOR systems currently operate in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Mauritius, South Pacific islands, Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Europe across various commercial and industrial applications.

Where are CITOR systems manufactured?

All CITOR reverse osmosis systems are designed and engineered using components sourced from international manufacturers at our purpose-built facility in Perth, Western Australia.

Direct oversight of every manufacturing stage ensures consistent quality standards. Clients are welcome to visit the facility by appointment to discuss projects, review systems under construction, or inspect manufacturing processes.

How long has CITOR been in business?

CITOR Desalinators was established in 1987, providing over 35 years of continuous operation in reverse osmosis equipment engineering and manufacturing.

Over three decades, CITOR has designed and manufactured thousands of reverse osmosis systems, developed engineering expertise across seawater, brackish water, and specialized applications, and built relationships with clients across Australia, Asia-Pacific, and internationally.

Why should I choose CITOR over other desalination suppliers?

CITOR offers several distinct advantages as an Australian manufacturer:

Direct Manufacturer Relationship

When you purchase from CITOR, you're dealing directly with the engineers who designed your system and the technicians who built it. There are no distributors or middlemen—just direct access to technical expertise and decision-makers. This means faster response times, better understanding of your specific requirements, and genuine accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Australian Engineering for Australian Conditions

CITOR systems are engineered specifically for Australian environmental conditions: high temperatures, corrosive coastal atmospheres, remote installations with limited infrastructure, and variable power quality. While imported systems are designed for northern hemisphere conditions and generic applications, CITOR equipment is proven in Australia's harshest environments from the Pilbara to offshore platforms.

Perth-Based Manufacturing & Support

Complete manufacturing capability in Perth ensures quality control, enables custom modifications, and provides local technical support.

35+ Years Operational Track Record

Since 1987, thousands of CITOR systems have operated across commercial and recreational marine, mine sites, resorts, hospitality and various remote locations. Many CITOR systems installed in the 1990s remain operational demonstrating genuine long-term durability.

Comprehensive Lifecycle Support

CITOR maintains technical documentation, spare parts inventory, and engineering support for systems decades old. Whilst CITOR has evolved and modernised over the years, the fundamental and proven product has remained much the same. This enables a reliable supply of spare parts for the lifetime of the equipment. We support systems throughout their operational life because our reputation depends on your long-term success.

Family-Owned Stability

As a family-owned Western Australian business, CITOR takes a long-term view of client relationships. The same business structure that built systems 20 years ago remain in place today.

REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS