Hunter Water has announced that the $10 million upgrade to its Toronto Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) designed to meet population growth, protect the environment and reduce odour has reached a new milestone.
Following a successful overhaul of the WWTW’s high-voltage electrical equipment, the project has a new odour control unit (OCU) at the facility is now up and running.
Hunter Water Executive Manager Customer Delivery, Glen Robinson, said he is confident the upgrades will provide lasting benefits to the community.
“These upgrades to Toronto WWTW, in particular the new state-of-the-art odour control unit, will significantly improve the capture and treatment of wastewater-related odours.
“As a business, we’re doing everything we can to minimise community impact from our assets – particularly odours.”
The upgrade to Toronto WWTW has involved three stages over three years, starting in August 2021 and is expected to be complete by mid-2024.
“We want to ensure the treatment works can continue to service the local community into the future.
“These upgrades will increase capacity and performance, reduce odours and meet modern safety and environmental standards.
“We will also be able to use treated recycled water onsite, reducing our reliance on drinking water to service the WWTW’s process requirements.”
With the odour control unit project complete, Hunter Water teams are now upgrading the facility’s aeration tanks to enable the treatment of wastewater to a consistent standard within the plant.
“While we can’t guarantee a 100 per cent odour-free environment, we’re confident the work we’ve completed will improve the amenity of the surrounding area whilst providing reliable services for our customers.”
Built in 1992, the Toronto WWTW serves the area from Teralba to Wangi Wangi on the western side of Lake Macquarie, including the townships of Marmong Point, Bolton Point, Toronto and Rathmines.
It currently treats six megalitres per day and can handle wastewater from a population of up to 42,000 people.
