Construction has begun on MidCoast Water’s $1.2million water recycling project which includes modifications to the Gloucester Sewage Treatment Plant.
The project is designed to meet conditions imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will see approximately 98million litres of treated recycled water used for agricultural recycling each year.
As well as the sewage treatment plant modifications, the project will also include the installation of an irrigation system on a nearby agricultural area.
Once operational, which is expected to occur by September, the recycling scheme will reduce the amount of treated water released to the Gloucester River.
MidCoast Water is also working on an upgrade to the Gloucester Water Treatment Plant, with more than half a million dollars to be invested in the facility.
The work will deliver an automated modern treatment facility for the residents of Gloucester and Barrington.
Improvements to be undertaken as part of the $800,000 upgrade include the replacement or renewal of aged and failing mechanical equipment, installation of automatic online water quality analysers and replacement of some electrical equipment.
Work is currently focusing on upgrading the plant’s chemical dosing systems and several building modifications to improve work health and safety outcomes.
MidCoast Water General Manager, Ken Gouldthorp, said, “The Gloucester water treatment plant was originally built back in the late 1930s/early 1940s and was last upgraded in the 1980s.
“As a result the infrastructure in the scheme is aging and experiencing issues and this can impact on the levels of service we can provide to our Gloucester and Barrington customers.”
Mr Gouldthorp said over the last few months a number of improvements have been made at the plant, including the completion of a new pump station and access platform and repairs to a number of operational areas of the plant.
“The upgrade will improve the service Gloucester customers receive and importantly automating the process will increase our ability to monitor water quality and initiate alarms and shutdown procedures when required.”
The project is expected to be completed by mid-August 2016.
