Share

A $52 million upgrade of Murray Bridge’s sewerage network will soon begin, pending final development approvals are received, with a new wastewater treatment plant, four pump stations and 18km of new underground pipe to connect the plant to the existing sewerage network.

SA Water contractor John Holland will lead construction of the project over the next 18 months.

SA Water’s General Manager of Asset Operations and Delivery, Mark Gobbie, said the new plant will be able to treat an additional two million litres of sewage a day, and will also incorporate odour control facilities and enhanced treatment processes.

“This includes a biological process called a ‘moving bed biofilm reactor’, with Murray Bridge one of the first non-industrial wastewater treatment plants in Australia to use it,” Mr Gobbie said.

“This technology is able to break down sewage into sludge in a more compact and efficient way than conventional methods. The sludge is eventually turned into an organic material called biosolids, which can be used like compost to improve soils and some crops.

“As with the existing treatment plant, recycled water from the site will also continue to be put to productive use for irrigation of local Department of Defence land.”

The existing wastewater treatment facility has been operating for nearly 50 years, and over this time the population and needs of the Murray Bridge community have changed significantly.

“We need to make sure our local operations can continue to sustain this growth and activity,” Mr Gobbie said.

“Incorporating community needs and feedback into our plans has been an important part of this project.

“We have worked closely with several local groups in the lead up to construction beginning, including the Rural City of Murray Bridge, local Ngarrindjeri people and properties along the new pipeline route, such as Unity College School.

“Community concerns about odour and potential environmental impacts played a key role in determining the location of the new treatment plant. The new site is approximately 10km south of the Murray Bridge township, away from the River Murray floodplain and residential areas.

“We are also committed to continue engaging with the community through construction, including providing updates on the project’s progression and opportunities for local school students to tour the new site in early 2019.

“This is a chance, particularly for those students interested in working in roles such as construction or engineering, to learn about the skills and expertise needed to carry out these works safely and successfully.”

The gradual decommissioning of the existing wastewater treatment plant adjacent the Murray Bridge Marina is expected to begin once the new facility is operational in early 2020.

Options for the future use of the current treatment plant site will continue to be discussed with key local stakeholders in coming months.

 

Find Sewage Pumping Stations Related Companies In The Pump Industry Capability Guide



Related articles
0 Comments

©2024 Pump Industry. All rights reserved

CONTACT US

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Sending

Log in with your credentials

or    

Forgot your details?

Create Account