A major water utility has been recognised for its innovation, winning two industry awards for recently completed sewerage projects.
Unitywater’s Caloundra Sewage Transport System was awarded Project of the Year: New Installation by the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology in Melbourne on 12 September 2019.
The project included construction of a 2.5km sewerage main along Nicklin Way, from Caloundra Road to Beerburrum Road. This ambitious project undertook the longest horizontal directional drill of its size in Australia.
In contrast, the utility’s low-tech upgrade of the Kenilworth Sewage Treatment Plant won the Queensland Infrastructure Project Innovation Award at the Australian Water Association awards on 13 September 2019.
Floating treatment wetlands that mimic natural wetlands, combined with a solar power array, delivered a low-tech, low-cost, low-impact upgrade of the plant.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Amanda Creevey, said the awards showcased Unitywater’s innovation and adaptability in meeting the region’s demand for sewerage services.
“When constructing the Caloundra pipeline, we pushed the limits of large-scale engineering to lay a major sewerage artery that now services surrounding growth hotspots,” Ms Creevey said.
“In contrast, the Kenilworth wetlands and solar array harness the power of nature to improve the capability of a relatively small sewage treatment plant.”
Ms Creevey said both projects were delivered with minimum disruption and maximum benefits to the communities they serve.
