Yarra Valley Water is investing $20 million to meet growing demand in the expanding Northern Growth Corridor in Victoria.
According to Pat McCafferty, Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water, the upgraded Wallan Sewage Treatment Plant is being built to meet customers’ needs into the foreseeable future.
“As the northern suburbs continue to grow it is important that the infrastructure keeps up with demand. The upgraded treatment plant, which is due to start construction early next year, is part of the overall investment being made in the Northern Growth Corridor by Yarra Valley Water,” said Mr McCafferty.
“The Wallan Sewage Treatment Plant is the only lagoon treatment plant in our system, and the upgrades will mean that the lagoons are replaced with a four million litre capacity activated sludge treatment plant. This upgrade will help to reduce any odour issues in the area, particularly over the summer months. This process will also help to improve the quality of recycled water produced by the plant.’
“Over the next six months we will continue to maintain and upgrade the current facility; increasing the capacity as much as possible. To improve the treatment process, aerators will also be added to the lagoon.”
Construction is due to begin in 2015, with completion expected in 2016. The works will also allow the plant to supply Class A recycled water to customers in the Wallara Waters and Mandalay area.
“To reduce the demand on drinking water, we are dedicated to providing recycled water for an ever-increasing range of residential, commercial and open space uses. This water will replace drinking water for washing clothes, flushing toilets, watering gardens and washing cars. Currently we have over 2,000 properties in the north and east who are connected to recycled water. We expect this number to grow to over 100,000 over the next 20 years,” added Mr McCafferty.
