Latrobe’s outdated sewerage system has come up smelling roses with $1.5 million in Commonwealth Clean Seas Program funding, which is contributing towards a $3 million state of the art treatment system. The main aim of the project is to halt the discharge of effluent into the Mersey River in Northern Tasmania.
The Mersey River has played a major role in the development, commerce and recreational water sports of this area, and in early days the river was always well stocked with fish. The sewerage treatment plant built some 40 years ago does not comply with Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environmental Standards that we expect today.
With a continual steady growth of the town to about 3,700, its upgrading is paramount importance to the environment and health of the river.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jocelyn Newman sees the project as a prime example of how innovation and resourcefulness can turn a waste product into an asset.
“Effluent and stormwater are among the major causes of marine pollution around Australia, and unfortunately Tasmania is no exception,” she said. “The good news is that we can do something about it locally by putting wastewater to good use instead of discharging it into the Mersey.”
Council Director of Development Services, Leigh Edsall said the new scheme involves pumping wastewater to nearby Dooleys Hill.
During dry months the water will be used for farm irrigation and the excess diverted to Devonport City Council’s Pardoe Treatment Plant. He said that although the treated water would not be up to drinking standards it would be the next best quality.
“It will be treated to tertiary standard, which means it will go through filtration and chlorination units which will kill all the pathogens and e.coli,” he said. “The revamping the system would also prevent effluent overflows from stormwater flooding.”
Latrobe Council General Manager Grant Atkins said, ” This means we are going to have a town with a treatment system that’s second to none”.
For further information contact Leigh Edsall, telephone (03) 6426 1041 or email edsall.latrobe@tassie.net.au
