A vital infrastructure upgrade at Logan’s largest wastewater treatment plant is now complete, enabling the facility to operate efficiently for the long term.
The $22.5 million upgrade at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant involved construction of a new ‘inlet works’ structure and installation of mechanical equipment including wastewater screens, grit tanks and a grit conveyance system.
Five existing and future incoming wastewater pipelines will connect to the new inlet works.
An odour control facility was also constructed, plus pump station and bypass network modifications which were made at the plant.
Roads and Water Infrastructure Committee Chairperson, Councillor Don Petersen, said the construction of the impressive 2,500 cubic metre concrete inlet works structure was needed to improve the capacity and operational efficiency of the 30-year-old treatment plant and provide environmental enhancements.
“The inlet works is the ‘front door’ of the treatment plant, receiving and screening incoming wastewater flows from across Logan 24 hours a day.
“It is immediately capable of receiving and screening 6,400 litres of wastewater per second, which is almost double the inflow the plant could handle before this upgrade.
“It’s equivalent of filling an Olympic swimming pool in five minutes.
At maximum capacity, the inlet works will be able to receive 8,800 litres of wastewater per second.
Cr Petersen also said Council had an obligation to ensure essential services, such as the wastewater network, could keep pace with the rapid population growth occurring across the city.
Councillor Luke Smith said the project, delivered by Logan Water Alliance, had been completed ahead of schedule, within budget and without any significant safety incidents.
“Almost 500 workers, including engineers, labourers, environmental officers, safety officers and project support officers invested 60,000 working hours into completing this project over 17 months.
Cr Smith thanked the industrial businesses and community groups surrounding the treatment plant for their patience and cooperation during the project, and is looking forward to their future endeavors in new pipeline construction “Council’s total investment in improving the Loganholme catchment’s wastewater network will exceed $70 million by late 2014 when these works are complete.”
