Installation of world first ‘Garra’ microfiltration unit has improved water quality for residents in NSW’s Mulwaree Shire at a fraction of the cost of conventional treatment.
Works at the Marulan Water Treatment Facility included construction of a 35 megalitre storage lagoon, two backwash storage dams and a 500 kilolitre filtered water reservoir.
Water quality is becoming a major community concern. Growing urban populations, erratic weather and the risk of contaminated water for vulnerable people, such as the elderly and very young, has led to water supply being seen as a risk management issue.
For small Councils with limited resources, the cost of improving quality must be balanced against the risks. Original estimates, based on a traditional lagoon sedimentation treatment facility, were costed at $2.75 million.
Concerned at the potential for costs to rise even further, Council looked for alternatives. It decided on using new technology in the form of the polymer based microfiltration system. This is more efficient at delivering high quality water, can be easily monitored and costs substantially less.
Designed and project managed by Council engineering staff, day labour was used for some of the construction. The work has come in at the much lower cost of just $750,000.
“A combination of factors resulted in the lower costs,” said Robert Mowle, Director Engineering Services. “The microfiltration system is the most economical and siting the storage lagoon closer to our village not only gave better security of supply, it did not require upgrading of the rising main.
“This reduction in capital costs has had a beneficial impact upon water rates for this relatively small community.” This project won the National Rural Category at the 1998 National Awards for Innovation in Local Government.
Robert Mowle will be presenting a paper on this Project at the NSW Institute of Municipal Engineering Association Conference to be held in Penrith in May.
For further information contact Robert Mowle, telephone (02) 4821 1933.
