Citiwater – a business unit of Townsville City Council – has won the environment category of the 2003 Queensland Engineering Excellence Awards for its Magnetic Island Water Recycling Treatment Plant. Mayor Tony Mooney said Citiwater demonstrated world’s best practice technology to solve an environmentally sensitive problem on Townsville’s popular island.
“The need to protect the ecosystems of Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Marine Park were key priorities identified by Council, stakeholders and the community in five years of planning the new waste water treatment plant,” he said. “Citiwater sought a solution that gave Townsville and Magnetic Island sustainable water systems.”
The Institute of Engineers Australia presented the award in Brisbane on 22 August.
Citiwater Manager, Henry Fracchia, said leading technology was used to prevent outfall into the ocean and recycle all of Magnetic Island’s water. He said it was the first time a membrane biological reactor had been used to treat waste water in Australia.
“This plant treats waste water to one of the highest levels achieved in the world, with 100 per cent re-use for irrigation purposes,” Henry Fracchia said.
The drinking quality recycled water is used to irrigate Magnetic Island Golf Course, public areas and new developments.
Stakeholders concerned with the Great Barrier Marine Park’s ecology have praised the design of the plant, which has also attracted interest from other Councils. Since commissioning the plant, Citiwater has run a public information campaign on the island. A school education program called Watersmart is also being developed with the motto ‘rainfall to outfall’ covering the entire water cycle.
For further information contact Citiwater Manager, Henry Fracchia, email hlf@townsville.qld.gov.au or telephone (07) 4727 8760.
