The 350kw array features 644 individual solar panels and floats on one of the treatment lagoons at the Drouin wastewater treatment plant.  Gippsland Water said it is the largest floating solar array in Australia. Gippsland Water Acting Managing Director, Simon Aquilina, said the solar panels were part of the organisation’s commitment to renewable energy targets.   “These solar panels will help us reach our renewable energy target of 100 per cent by 2025 and contribute to achieving our target of net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2030. They also positively impact the wastewater tr ..read more

Sydney Water has awarded the construction contract for its Kemps Creek Dual Pressure Mains project, which will support the delivery of its Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre.  Quickway Constructions Pty Ltd have been selected to deliver the project, which is designed to support the growth and development of Western Sydney. The two 6.8km wastewater pipelines, expected to be completed in 2025, will be essential for the commissioning of the Upper South Creek (USC) Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) at Kemps Creek. The AWRC is expected to go live in 2026, which will improv ..read more

A group of Tawny Grassbirds has taken up residence in the grasslands near Yarra Valley Water’s Lilydale Sewage Treatment Plant, marking one of the first sightings of this species in Victoria. Tawny Grassbirds are typically found in northern New South Wales and are rarely seen in groups of more than one or two. However, it’s thought that five of these birds have been breeding in the area for the past two months. Yarra Valley Water’s Biodiversity Officer, Chris Farrow, said that it was too early to know why the birds have migrated so far south. “With rising temperatures in the northern states ..read more

Sydney Water is set to deliver a $595 million upgrade to Rouse Hill and Riverstone Water Resource Recovery Facilities as part of its North West Treatment Hub Growth Program.  The ten-year program, to be delivered by Sydney Water in partnership with John Holland, Stantec and KBR, will increase wastewater treatment capacity across three of Sydney Water’s Water Resource Recovery Facilities as Sydney’s northwest continues to grow, creating opportunity for an additional 200,000 new house connections.  Sydney Water Project Director, Bernard Clancy, said the first stage of the Growth Progr ..read more

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Coliban Water have reached an agreement regarding the new Operating Licence for the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant, with the amendments to the licence including environmental performance standards that will protect the environment and human health.  In 2019 Coliban acknowledged the historical non-compliance issues at the plant, and began a $20 million investment program. Over the past four years this investment has delivered a step-change in environmental performance including: A 95 per cent reduction in phosphorus in river releases of hig ..read more

Hunter Water’s $10 million upgrade of the Toronto Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) has reached a new milestone with the installation of a state-of-the-art odour control unit (OCU). The WWTW upgrades are designed  to safely and reliably meet local population growth, reduce odour and protect the environment.  Following a successful overhaul of the WWTW’s high-voltage electrical equipment, the OCU is now up and running at the facility.  Toronto WWTW Odour control unit. Courtesy of Hunter Water. Hunter Water Executive Manager Customer Delivery, Glen Robinson, is confident the up ..read more

Yarra Valley Water has signed a five-year contract with Waternish Engineering and Service Stream to upgrade sewage and recycled water treatment plants across its network.  The works program is designed to ensure extra capacity for the sewerage network, to meet the needs of Melbourne’s growing population. The initial term is for five years, with the possibility of extension for up to ten years. Under the $10 million annual Treatment Plant Improvement Program, Waternish and Service Stream will deliver small to medium projects to upgrade the existing infrastructure. Yarra Valley Water’s Gro ..read more

As climate change and population growth continue to put drinking water supplies under pressure, water utilities are exploring all options to ensure a secure and diverse water supply for generations to come.  In South East Queensland, the population is expected to grow by two million people over the next 25 years. Ensuring a plentiful, safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable water future for the communities in our service region is a big job – and one that will require multiple solutions.  Non-potable recycled water is one such solution.  By increasing our use of recycled wat ..read more

In an effort to reduce sewer odour issues in certain parts of Whyalla, SA Water has begun works for a $4 million odour control unit.  The unit – which is an intricate system of filters, pipes and valves – will connect to the sewer network through an existing pipe on Billing Street, where it can extract and treat odorous gases such as hydrogen sulphide. A biofilter and activated carbon filters will be responsible for treating the gases through a staged process which breaks down odorous compounds and removes any remaining gases by adsorption. SA Water’s Senior Manager of Infrastructure Pla ..read more

The Victorian Government has announced that it will be investing $711 million in the modernisation of Melbourne’s Western Treatment Plant, to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the city’s growing population for generations.  Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, announced the start of works on a new Resource Recovery and Re-Use Complex – the first major milestone in the modernisation of the Western Treatment Plant.  Melbourne’s population is set to double by 2050 and the upgrade to the Western Treatment Plant is key to ensuring Melbourne’s infrastructure is equippe ..read more