A major wastewater pumping station upgrade in Wyong, New South Wales is implementing innovative construction methods to improve safety and reduce construction time.
The upgrade at Wyong Water site includes the construction of an eight-metre deep, seven-metre diameter ‘wet well’, which will collect wastewater before it’s transferred to a treatment plant.
Wyong Water is entirely owned and operated by Wyong Shire Council. Company Director, Greg McDonald, said cutting edge technology was being used to construct the well.
“Unlike traditional methods of construction, this wet well is being built using pre-cast concrete segments that are placed in the well as it is excavated.
“Each layer of the well is excavated and lined with the wall segments before the next level is removed and the process repeated.
“This process is much quicker than the traditional method of digging out the entire well, pouring concrete walls and waiting for them to cure before work can progress.
“What would normally take four months using traditional methods is being done in less than five weeks.
“It’s also much safer for our staff and contractors, with the risk of a cave-in using traditional construction methods an ever present danger.
“We are always looking to work smarter and this new method will redefine this type of construction.”
The station services a large population and is quickly approaching capacity. The upgrade will allow the station to continue servicing the community until 2040, without the need for further improvements.
The works are being undertaken by Gongues Constructions Pty Ltd on behalf of Wyong Water and are due for completion in December 2016.
