Project summary
Unitywater's major upgrade to the Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant was undertaken to cater for the increasing volume of wastewater being generated in the catchment and to meet increased treatment and environmental discharge standards.
The result is a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant that further improves the treatment of sewage to very high environmental standards, significantly reducing the community’s impact on the environment.
The Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade and Advanced Water Treatment Plant accommodates projected growth between 2006–2016, and can now service around 159,000 people living in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area’s fastest growing areas.
The plant also provides highly-treated recycled water suitable for industrial and commercial re-use, in local manufacturing industries, reducing the community’s reliance on town water from the SEQ Water Grid.
Fast facts
| Location |
The Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant is located on Bickle Road near the North Pine River at Murrumba Downs. |
|
Benefits
|
- Cater for the increasing population in the area.
- Improve treatment standards.
- Create a large volume of recycled water for industrial use.
- Reduce odour emissions from the plant.
|
| Supplier |
The Murrumba Alliance was formed to deliver the project, and includes:
- Unitywater;
- John Holland Group;
- Montgomery Watson & Harza (MWH);and
- Richard Flanagan & Company (RF&Co).
|
| Completion |
The upgrade was completed in September 2010. |
| Funding |
$197 million. |
Official opening
The Murrumba Alliance recently held an official opening event and a community open day on 18 September 2010, inviting the community to see the completed project and take part in tours of the plant.
Project background
The Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant is situated on Bickle Road near the North Pine River at Murrumba Downs. The area serviced by the plant has one of the highest population growth rates in South East Queensland.
An environmental impact statement was completed by MWH in late 2006. The environmental impact statement confirmed the necessity of the upgrade the Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant to cater for population growth in the surrounding area.
The Murrumba Alliance, a partnership between Unitywater, John Holland Group and MWH, was established to undertake the design and construction of the Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade. The upgraded Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant capacity will cater for future urban development in the following catchment areas:
- Murrumba Downs
- Strathpine
- Lawnton
- Petrie
- North Lakes
Project details
The upgrade enables the Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant to treat the increasing volume of sewerage being generated in the growing catchment and to treat that water to a higher standard for reuse. The project was completed in two stages.
Stage 1
The first $45m stage involved constructing an Advanced Water Treatment Plant (AWTP) to treat 4mL per day of treated final effluent from the existing Sewerage Treatment Plant to a higher standard for reuse by industry. The AWTP will provide four million litres of water per day to industry for reuse, saving valuable drinking water supplies. The AWTP is part of Unitywater’s commitment to the Regional Drought Strategy and was fast-tracked and completed in September 2008.
Stage 2
The second $152m stage of the upgrade involved improving the operation of the existing Sewage Treatment Plant, with particular emphasis on reducing odour impact and improving effluent quality. This stage is split into two phases:
- Phase 1 - construction and commissioning of new infrastructure
- Phase 2 - construction, refurbishment and re-commissioning of existing infrastructure.
This stage will focus on using state-of-the-art equipment to treat sewage to a higher standard, reducing the nitrogen and phosphorus content in the treated sewage and ensuring a better quality of wastewater is released into our waterways.
Odour emissions will also be targeted through covering tanks and installing the latest in odour control technology, reducing the day-to-day impact of the plant’s operation on the surrounding community.
This stage of the upgrade will increase the capacity of the plant, enabling it to treat around 30 million liters of sewage per day, ensuring the plant can cater for projected population growth to 2016. This stage was completed in September 2010.
More information
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us.
Construction of the Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant - April 2008.
The finished Murrumba Downs Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade - August 2010.
Secondary clarifier – used to removed microorganisms that treat the sewage from the effluent.
Odour Control Facility – treats up to 70,000 cubic meters of foul air per hour.
Filtrate and permeate tanks – Advanced Water Treatment Plant process storage tanks.
Bioreactor – where microorganisms are utilized to reduce sewage contaminants.
Treated water tank – Storage of ready-for-use Class A+ recycled water
Secondary Clarifyers - used to removed microorganisms that treat the sewage from the effluent.
Guided tour of the plant during the September 2010 Open Day.
Guided tour of the plant during the September 2010 Open Day.