City of Logan, Queensland, has begun the first stage of more than $100 million in major upgrades to the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
The City’s largest water treatment facility, it services around 300,000 residents and is home to Australia’s first permanent bio-solids gasification facility.
The $27 million facility transforms sewage sludge into renewable energy and a safe, environmentally friendly product called biochar.
Trials were conducted last year and the facility is expected to be operational by mid-2022.
Once running, it will reduce the volume of bio-solids (sewage sludge) by 90 percent.
Council will also spend around $69 million to upgrade the WWTP’s main treatment process. This includes construction of a modern membrane bioreactor treatment facility covering 3500 square metres.
The technology will increase the plant’s treatment capacity from 45 million litres per day to 67 million litres per day and will service an additional 100,000 people.
It will complement the existing conventional treatment process and enable the transfer of flows from the Beenleigh WWTP, which will be de-commissioned.
The move is estimated to save ratepayers around $27 million in operating costs over the next 20 years.
Council’s drive to carbon neutrality has also taken a leap forward with construction beginning last month on a 1000kw solar array at the plant.
The $3.6 million project will include around 3000 solar panels covering around 3700 square metres.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old wastewater pump station at the plant will get a $6 million makeover including new pumps, valves and pipework to more efficiently manage incoming wastewater flows and enhance safety for operators.
Councillor, Teresa Lane said the upgrades would minimise community impacts associated with conventional treatment processes and maximise the use of the flood-free land available on-site at Loganholme.
“This is a world-class facility and the envy of councils Australia-wide.
“While the infrastructure upgrades will streamline operations, and create efficiency, they’re creating employment and work opportunities for hundreds of construction jobs for Logan residents and contractors.”
