The new Kilcoy Water Treatment Plant has been officially opening in South East Queensland.
QLD Water Supply Minister, Mark McArdle, who officially opened the plant, said after three years of careful planning and construction, the plant was now supplying water to the Kilcoy community.
“Kilcoy’s water supply security had been significantly enhanced with the new plant able to meet the community’s needs today and in the future,” he said.
“The new water treatment plant takes its raw water from nearby Lake Somerset via a 2.5km pipeline instead of from Kilcoy Creek, which is the primary raw water source for the existing Kilcoy Water Treatment Plant.
“Kilcoy Creek has not always been a reliable source of raw water—it floods after heavy rainfall and at other times can almost run dry.
“This is greatly enhanced the security of supply for Kilcoy’s residents and local businesses.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the new water treatment plant would also help to meet the needs of the growing Kilcoy community.
“The old Kilcoy Water Treatment Plant was built in the 1960s and can only produce about 2.2 megalitres of water a day. It’s reached capacity,” she said.
“The new state-of-the-art plant can produce four megalitres of high quality water a day, or almost double the capacity of the previous plant.”
Seqwater Acting Chief Executive Officer Peter Dennis said Seqwater had worked closely with retailer Queensland Urban Utilities to upgrade the Kilcoy water supply system.
“The new plant incorporates the latest water treatment processes delivering significant environmental benefits,” Mr Dennis said.
“The plant is a zero discharge plant, which means it uses a mechanical process to extract solids from wastewater, allowing all water to be recycled.
“This eliminates wastewater production and provides significant environmental benefits.
“The stainless steel infrastructure will ensure the longevity of the plant and also provides a low maintenance solution for Kilcoy’s water supply.
“Seqwater is proud to be part of the Kilcoy community and play its part in promoting economic growth and community development in the Somerset region.”