Water treatment facility upgrades use innovative technologies

Contractors, UGL Pty Ltd, began work on the $14 million upgrade in June.

Cr Martin Bella said UGL was introducing innovative technologies on site, with the use of Semi Precast Concrete Panels, that would form the treatment tanks.

“This technology has been in use in the United Kingdom for about 20 years, and the Mirani site will be a test case for the use of the panels in Australia.

“The Mackay region is leading the way, and with the successful delivery of this project it is intended that this technology will be taken up by the water industry across the country for future projects.”

The panels, which are 5.4m high, 2.5m wide and 375mm thick, are fabricated off site in controlled environments. This allows for a faster and safer construction time compared to standard in-situ construction techniques.

The panels will make up 20 percent of all concrete used in the project. The remaining concrete content of the project is being sourced by local companies.

The MWRF’s capacity will be upgraded from 3500 Equivalent People (EP) to 7000 EP, with the possibility to extend to 10,000 EP when required.

Current growth projections indicate that 7000 EP will be reached in 2036.

Cr Bella said the upgraded facility would provide a higher level of recycled water for unrestricted irrigation of golf courses and cane farms that complies with the Recycled Water Guidelines.

“The ‘unrestricted’ status also allows council to share more recycled water to users in the future.

“The facility currently provides recycled water to the Pioneer Valley Golf Club and a local cane farm.”

The upgrades are expected to be operational by June 2020.