The plant treats 25 megalitres of wastewater every day – the equivalent of 5.5 million toilet flushes – for approximately 187,000 homes and businesses in Bray Park, Dakabin, Griffin, Joyner, Kallangur, Lawnton, Mango Hill, Murrumba Downs and Strathpine.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said the improvements were part of the utility’s $500 million renewals and replacements program to enhance water and wastewater services across its service region.
“We’re delivering a range of significant upgrades at our Murrumba Downs treatment plant, including a refurbishment of the plant’s bioreactor and replacement of its aeration diffusers, which supply oxygen to the microorganisms that help treat wastewater,” Mr Basterfield said.
“The upgrades also include a cloth media filter tank upgrade and new aeration tank to improve its biological treatment process, and upstream, we’ve installed a new barometric loop which prevents excess air from entering the wastewater pipe that feeds into the plant.
Mr Basterfield said the impressive U-shaped structure operates similarly to drinking through a straw. It uses gravity and atmospheric pressure to control pressure changes and maintain efficient flow.
“The structure needs to be 16-metre-tall so it can use these principles to increase pumping efficiency in the wastewater network. This will also reduce odour and the risk of blockages back at the treatment plant,” he said.
“The asset was crane-lifted into place, attracting the attention of a nearby class of kindergarteners at Green Leaves Early Learning Centre which prompted some visits in mini high-vis vests – a lovely community connection made with some future engineers!”
The works are being delivered by Unitywater’s collaborative infrastructure delivery partners, with Dormway installing the barometric loop earlier this year, and the remainder of listed upgrades being completed by Downer by November 2026.
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