Urban Utilities is nearing completion on its new sewage treatment plant as part of a $45 million upgrade to the Somerset sewerage network.
Urban Utilities Project Manager, Andrew Nicholson, said the multimillion-dollar project included a new state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant on Forest Hill-Fernvale Road at Vernor, and would help future-proof the growing region.
“We’re excited to announce that we’re nearing completion of construction of the new treatment plant and we’re about to enter the commissioning phase,” Mr Nicholson said.
“Both the existing Lowood and Fernvale sewage treatment plants are being replaced by pump stations, which will pump to the new central treatment plant in Lowood.
“The project also involves 8km of sewer pipes which have all been laid.”
The upgrade will double the capacity of the local sewerage network once complete.
“The new plant will be capable of treating up to 1.8 million litres of sewage – equivalent to 60 backyard swimming pools – every day,” Mr Nicholson said.
“This is the largest capital works project we’ve ever undertaken in Somerset and it allows for a lot of growth in the region so we’re looking forward to seeing this plant come to life.”
Somerset Regional Council Mayor, Graeme Lehmann, said he was pleased that Urban Utilities was planning well ahead for population growth.
“We’re seeing a lot of people choose to move to the area, particularly since COVID-19. Any small blocks that have been for sale for years have all been snapped up,” Mr Lehmann said.
“This project will future-proof our region, so I’d like to say a big thank you to Urban Utilities.”
Councillor Lehmann said it was good to see Urban Utilities supporting the Somerset economy during the plant’s construction, from buying materials from local businesses and employing local labourers, to workers staying at accommodation in the area.
“Firstly, this is a $45 million-dollar project so it’s great to see that amount of money being invested in Somerset,” Mr Nicholson said.
“Also buying and employing locally creates essential jobs and keeps that dollar going around so this is a great boost to our regional economy.”
The Lowood-Fernvale sewer upgrade includes the following:
- Lowood Sewage Treatment Plant – being constructed on Forest Hill Fernvale Road, Vernor, consisting of a three-storey treatment plant, vehicle access, a ring road, a number of buildings, tanks and related infrastructure
STATUS: Nearing construction completion and ready for commissioning
- Ferny Gully sewerage pump station – located off Caralluma Crescent in Fernvale, to transport sewage from Fernvale to the new Lowood Sewage Treatment Plant
STATUS: Construction complete
- Fernvale sewer pipe – 6.4km sewer pipe connecting the new Ferny Gully sewerage pump station to the new Lowood Sewage Treatment Plant
STATUS: Complete
- Lowood sewerage pump station – to be built at the site of the existing Lowood Sewage Treatment Plant on Forest Hill Fernvale Road (near the intersection with Prospect Street, Lowood). This pump station will transfer sewage to the new Lowood Sewage Treatment Plant
STATUS: Nearing construction completion
- Lowood sewer pipe – 1.6km sewer pipe connecting the new Lowood sewerage pump station to the new Lowood Sewage Treatment Plant
STATUS: Complete
