A grit collector which was lifted out of the St John Street sewage pump station in March has now been put back in place after undergoing a complete upgrade.

Weighing in at three tonnes and as tall as a three story building, the grit collector removes rocks and gravel and other litter collected in the storm water as it makes its way through the streets and drains of Launceston city.

It sits approximately 8.5 metres below ground and is comprised of screw and bucket conveyors which collect, transport and store gross solids as combined sewage and storm water flows through it.

Installed more than 40 years ago and known as “the Gritter”, it’s located on the banks of the North Esk River at the St John Street Sewage Pump Station.

The refurbishment is part of a $3 million federally-funded scheme, the Tamar River Recovery Plan.

It’s a collaborative project being undertaken by TasWater, Launceston City Council, NRM North, the Launceston Flood Authority and the Federal Government.

The gritter has been totally overhauled at the Wynyard workshop of local Tasmanian company, Southern Prospects.

TasWater CEO, Michael Brewster says “the refurbishment will improve the gritter’s capacity to remove sediment from the combined sewer and storm water network, reducing the frequency and impact of discharges to the waterway.

“More than half a million dollars has been allocated to TasWater to help prevent sediments and litter entering the river and to investigate long term combined system improvement strategies,” he said.

“TasWater welcomes the opportunity to be part of a project which aims to upgrade Tasmania’s sewerage systems to meet current day environmental standards.

“TasWater plans to spend more than $330 million dollars on infrastructure across the state to upgrade both drinking water quality and the management and treatment of sewerage.

Other sewage pump station improvements are under investigation in Launceston including Margaret Street and the Esplanade where we will look to reduce the extent to which cigarette butts, sanitary products, grit, rocks and every day litter are entering the Tamar River.

Mr Brewster says “the overflow of waste water into the river only happens in periods of heavy rain fall, and I urge residents to do their bit by being careful about what they discard as it may find its way into Launceston’s storm water drains.”

The gritter will be in action immediately after being set back into place.
Simon Pilkington, TasWater