A major upgrade to improve the reliability and effectiveness of the Teddington Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Maryborough is now more than halfway through.
Fraser Coast Councillor Paul Truscott and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders visited the WTP on 18 July 2024 to see how the $6.5 million project was progressing.
Cr Truscott said one of Council’s core responsibilities was providing residents and businesses safe, reliable, and efficient water and wastewater services.
“As a water service provider, Council need to ensure our water and sewage treatment plants are resilient and operating as effectively as possible both now and into the future,” he said.
“Council successfully sought a $2 million grant towards a sludge dewatering project at the Teddington WTP through the Queensland Government’s Building Our Regions program.
The grant was combined with Council funding to construct a new system to more safely and efficiently manage the sludge and solids generated during the water treatment process.
“Since March, we have prepared the site, installed underground electrical and pipework and constructed tanks,” Cr Truscott said.
“We are currently constructing the dewatering building, which will house the switch room, poly batching equipment, screw press, screw conveyors, and serve as the loading area for trucks transporting sludge. In the coming months, new machinery will mechanically dewater the water treatment waste stream and transfer sludge into trucks for disposal, saving Council time, streamlining operations and reducing costs. The works are currently on schedule and due to be completed by late 2024.”
Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said it was terrific to see the construction on the Teddington WTP in Maryborough was progressing well.
“The State Government has been working with the Fraser Coast Regional Council to ensure the Maryborough and surrounding residents and businesses have a viable, economical, and reliable water treatment plant,” he said.
“The Queensland Government’s Building Our Region program will help fund the new sludge dewatering project at the Teddington Water Treatment Plant. This will ensure the plant maintains a reliable and capable operation.”
Cr Truscott said the $6.5 million Teddington WTP sludge dewatering project followed a $3.5 million upgrade in 2020 that involved installing new pumps and a new carbon dioxide system, reconfiguring pipework, and replacing electrical systems.
“Sludge dewatering projects are also happening at the Eli Creek Sewage Treatment Plant, the Howard Treatment Plants and Burgowan WTP to improve efficiency and reliability,” he said.
“It’s all part of Council’s focus on effectively managing and maintaining our assets.”