A vital infrastructure upgrade has been completed in the city of Logan in South East Queensland. The city’s largest wastewater treatment plant has been upgraded, enabling the facility to operate more efficiently into the future.
The $22.5 million upgrade at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant involved the construction of a new ‘inlet works’ structure and installation of mechanical equipment including wastewater screens, grit tanks and a grit conveyance system. Five existing and future incoming wastewater pipelines will connect to the new inlet works, while an odour control facility was constructed, and pump station and bypass network modifications were made at the plant.
Roads and Water Infrastructure Committee Chairperson, Councillor Don Petersen (Division 4), said the construction of the impressive 2,500 cubic metre concrete inlet works structure was needed to improve the capacity and operational efficiency of the 30-year-old treatment plant and provide environmental enhancements.
“The inlet works as the ‘front door’ of the treatment plant, receiving and screening incoming wastewater flows from across Logan 24 hours a day,” he said.
“It is immediately capable of receiving and screening 6,400 litres of wastewater per second, which is almost double the inflow the plant could handle before this upgrade. It’s equivalent of filling an Olympic swimming pool in five minutes.
“At its ultimate capacity, the inlet works will be able to receive and effectively screen 8,800 litres of wastewater per second, which would fill an Olympic swimming pool in under four minutes.”
Cr Petersen said Council had an obligation to ensure essential services, such as the wastewater network, could keep pace with the rapid population growth occurring across the city.
“Growth in the Loganholme catchment is expected to increase by nearly 40 per cent by 2026, and 70 per cent by 2051, which is a major reason Council invested in this upgrade now rather than in 10 years’ time,” he said.
Councillor Luke Smith (Division 6) said the project, delivered by Logan Water Alliance, had been completed ahead of schedule, within budget and without any significant safety incidents.
“Almost 500 workers, including engineers, labourers, environmental officers, safety officers and project support officers invested 60,000 working hours into completing this project over 17 months,” he said.
“In constructing the inlet works structure, 985 cubic metres of concrete was used, around 100 pieces of mechanical equipment were installed and 1.026 kilometres of connecting pipework was laid,” he said.
Cr Smith thanked the industrial businesses and community groups surrounding the treatment plant for their patience and cooperation during the project.
“Logan Water Alliance will continue to progress other project works in the Loganholme catchment during 2014,” he said.
“This includes the ongoing construction of 6.4 kilometres of new pipelines through Slacks Creek, Meadowbrook, Tanah Merah and Loganholme to transport wastewater to the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“Council’s total investment in improving the Loganholme catchment’s wastewater network will exceed $70 million by late 2014 when these works are complete.”
