The City of Melville’s engineering team has won a highly commended in the prestigious Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) WA Awards for its clever ‘giant bladder’ system, diverting storm water that would previously have been wasted to practical use throughout the City.
The Evershed Sump Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Project is one of two of the City’s projects to reach the finals of the awards.
It won highly commended in the Excellence in Water Projects Category.
The annual IPWEA awards showcase outstanding projects in the public works and local government sectors.
City of Melville’s Manager Engineering, Kimberly Brosztl, explains the Evershed Sump project aligns with the City’s sustainability goals because it reduces the City’s reliance on groundwater and higher quality mains drinking and instead uses the recycled water for services like tree watering, road construction, and drain cleaning.
It also reduces the amount of stormwater entering the Swan River which reduces the risk of detrimental nutrient flow into the waterway.
The water at the Evershed Sump site on Marmion Street in Myaree is collected in a giant synthetic ‘bladder’ with 140,000 litres storage capacity. It’s treated and tested and kept in the ‘bladder’ until needed, in a way that’s cost effective and visually unobtrusive.
Trucks can pull up and fill up water tanks quickly and efficiently, thanks to a state-of-the-art pumping system.
City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair said local community consultation was undertaken before the sump site’s transformation and beautiful murals were incorporated into the final design of the fencing enclosing the sump basin.
“This project has delivered significant community benefits and we are extremely proud to have it recognised in this way,” said Mayor Mair.
“It fits perfectly into our long-term goals which emphasise sustainable use of resources, adoption of a circular economy approach optimising waste reduction and resource recovery.
“It provides an alternative water supply for various activities, reducing the strain on potable water resources.
“It enhances the local community with attractive artwork along the extensive sump fenceline depicting its many environmental benefits.
“It engaged local residents and schools in the project, promoting environmental awareness and education.”
