$16.2 million in vital upgrades to the Leanyer Sanderson Waste Stabilisation Ponds — the Northern Territory’s largest wastewater treatment facility — has officially been completed.
The Power and Water upgrade project saw the construction of an inlet works system and the installation of wastewater screens, a grit removal system and an odour control facility.
The new inlet works will remove more than 45 tonnes of bathroom products and 50 tonnes of grit annually — improving the sewage treatment performance of the ponds, reducing environmental impact on Buffalo Creek and reducing odour to surrounding areas.
Member for Wanguri, Nicole Manison, said, “These upgrades at the Leanyer Sanderson Waste Stabilisation Ponds will improve odour issues for local residents.
“We have heard local residents loud and clear that there needed to be big improvements and we have delivered them.
“As well as the inlet works and new odour control facility, there has been some massive maintenance works conducted to improve the ponds and how they operate.
“Further improvements will be made at the ponds with ongoing maintenance, more local tree planting to create more buffers and additional new treatments, including trial biological and chemical treatments in the ponds to further reduce odours.”
Construction, which began in July 2017, saw the creation of 150 jobs delivered through 15 local contractors — including carpenters, steel fixers, concreters, plumbers, mechanical fitters, civil construction labourers, electricians, bricklayers, painters, roofers and welders.
