Construction is nearly complete on the major $418 million upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant. The plant, which was built in 1975, will be transformed into one of the most sophisticated facilities of its kind in the world.
Advances in technology will mean the forty percent of Melbourne’s sewage which goes to the plant will be treated to a much higher standard than has been possible in the past. This will have enormous benefits for the marine environment at Boags Rocks, near Gunnamatta Beach where the treated water is discharged.
The plant currently supplies about 22 billion litres of ‘Class C’ recycled water per year. The upgrade will improve the quality of recycled water to ‘Class A’, which can then be used more widely including uses such as toilet flushing, watering sports grounds, and irrigating vegetables. Melbourne Water is working with South East Water and Southern Rural Water to investigate opportunities for new recycled water projects that will make use of this high quality water.
The proposed upgrade to the plant includes an Advanced Tertiary Treatment Plant (ATTP) based on ozone and biological media filtration treatment, coupled with ultraviolet disinfection. The project scope includes the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the ATTP. Works include treatment process infrastructure including ozone treatment, bio-media filtration and ultra-violet light and chlorine disinfection; covered treated water storage basins; associated tanks, pump stations, chemical dosing and storage facilities; and internal access roads, pipelines and communication cables.
The alliance partners; Baulderstone; UGL Infrastructure; Black & Veatch; KBR; and Melbourne Water will be responsible for building seven new structures over approximately six hectares of land within the existing Eastern Treatment Plant boundary.
The upgrade remains on schedule for completion for January 2013.
