Work is about to get underway on a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Blackmans Bay Sewage Treatment Plant, with TasWater Chairman Miles Hampton turning the first sod in what is part of a $51 million investment in the future of Kingborough.
Mr Hampton said the upgrade of the Blackmans Bay Sewage Treatment Plant will bring immense benefits, both in the provision of improved facilities for the community and the environment. The upgrade will double the sewage plant’s treatment capacity meeting future demand as Kingborough’s residential and business community continues to grow.
“The current plant has been in operation for thirty years and is reaching the end of its operational life. In that time, technological improvements have been developed in the sewage treatment process as well as more strict regulations in the area of effluent discharge.”
The upgrade will incorporate many of these updated technologies, including improved odour management systems and ensure the Blackmans Bay Sewage Treatment Plant meets modern day environmental standards.
“One of the most significant features of the upgrade is that it will enable TasWater to close down three older sewerage treatment systems at Margate, Electrona and Howden with sewage instead pumped to the Blackmans Bay facility.”
“This will improve the amenity of the surrounding areas, particularly at Dru Point, and importantly the environment of North West Bay which will no longer receive any further treated effluent following the decommissioning of the three redundant facilities.”
Mr Hampton said this is the biggest infrastructure project undertaken by TasWater in the four years since it was formed and represents a significant development for Tasmania.
“It is testament to the work we are doing across Tasmania.”
“When TasWater was established the priority was to upgrade our non-compliant water systems. With numerous upgrades now coming on line, the Blackmans Bay project highlights our ongoing plan to improve the transport and treatment of sewage.”
TasWater is committed to long term thinking when it comes to infrastructure and through careful planning, our program of work will not only meet the needs of the community but is funded in a way that avoids excessive debt which future generations will have to pay.
”It is appropriate to have Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass along with us today as the initial vision for this project was instigated by the council, foreseeing the potential for growth in this area,” Mr Hampton said.
The construction contract has been awarded to joint venture company BAJV, made up of Australian company BMD Constructions and international contractor ACCIONA Aqua. Both organisations have extensive experience in building water industry infrastructure – BMD having built sewage treatment plants in the Northern Territory and South Australia with ACCIONA Aqua building the world’s largest treatment plant in Mexico.
Construction will be finished in the second half of 2018.
TasWater
