Nebo Junction Wastewater Treatment Plant Ultra-Filtration Plant Installation

The ultra-filtration plant is housed in a standard 20′ shipping container. Effluent from the main plant is diverted from existing irrigation tanks to a closed loop filtration process where it is pumped through a membrane module under controlled conditions. The resultant filtrate is monitored for turbidity and sterilised with both ultraviolet light and traditional chlorination before being stored for re-use.

The shipping container houses the membrane module as well as the switchboard, automatic valves, clean in place tank, pumps and associated instrumentation.

Heavy duty back raked screens for automatic weed removal

The control of infestations of Water Hyacinth, Alligator Weed and Giant Parramatta Weed had been an ongoing problem for Hunter Water at the intake to their Balickera Canal Pump Station. Continuous regulated treatment of the weeds with herbicides had been carried out, but removal of the weeds from the water flow posed a health and safety problem as the existing screens needed to be cleaned manually.

The EVA back raked screens proposed by EPCO Australia provide an effective and proven solution to this problem. The EVA back raked screens are especially suited to river water intakes where weeds, leaves, logs and branches need to be removed. They are specifically designed for heavy duty removal of weed, debris and sewage.

The operation of these screens is simple: back-racking tines plunge into the weed or debris mass at the base of the intake channel. They do not have to descend through the water as is the case with front-raked machines. All debris, rags or weeds are removed from the bar screen in the first raking motion. The tines move upwards from the base of the channel and automatically clean the entire bar screen in one ascending movement. From there the debris is discharged to a conveyor or bin.

The first of its kind in Australia, this installation comprises three 3.5 metre wide x 14 metre high screens and a screenings conveyor system.

The EVA back-racked screens are also suitable for seawater installations for power and desalination projects, for sewage treatment plant inlet works, storm over-flow sites, or for industrial complexes where effluents have to be treated prior to discharge.

New wastewater treatment plant for Torres Strait community

Masig Island (Yorke Island) is a coral cay situated in the Torres Strait at the top end of the Great Barrier Reef surrounded by pristine aquamarine seas, rich in marine life. The sea has always been integral to the way of life of the Masig islanders. Commercial mackerel fishing, prawning and crayfishing is undertaken and a highly profitable fish factory has operated on the island since the late 1970’s. Currently trials are underway on a potential sea sponge aquaculture industry.

In 2007 EPCO Australia was awarded the contract for the development of a new wastewater treatment plant on Masig Island as part of the Torres Strait Islands Major Infrastructure Program which is delivering environmental health infrastructure to Torres Strait communities.

Due to the environmental sensitivity of the area, the plant had to meet a B class discharge quality requirement, namely <20mg/L BOD, <30mg/L suspended solids, <15mg/L nitrogen, <8mg/L phosphorous and <150 CFU on a 50th percentile basis.

The wastewater treatment plant installed by EPCO Australia included biological and tertiary treatment and was designed for a sewage flow of up to 135m3/day. The treatment system included flow metering, fine screening, aerated balance tank, Imhoff stage, RBC stage, final settling, tertiary filtration and UV disinfection.

A tertiary filter has been fitted to provide A class for reuse if required.

As part of this project, local indigenous workers were employed to assist with installation of the equipment and were later given Certificate III Level training in sewage treatment plant operation and maintenance. These operators, with first-hand knowledge of the equipment and a personal interest in maintaining it, will ensure the sustainability of the project.

This project will have substantial and tangible impacts on the health, quality of life, and overall community sustainability of the Masig Island area.

Upgraded wastewater treatment plant provides benefits to local community and the environment

It is often the case in high population growth areas that residential developments encroach on existing wastewater treatment plants. Many of these plants have been in operation for over 20 years and utilize outdated technology. Increased inflows to the plant due to the increase in population growth can lead to problems such as high odour emissions which have a negative impact on the surrounding communities.

Improving water quality with floating high speed surface aerators

Aeration equipment is vital to the biological operation of aerobic wastewater purification processes. Aeration introduces oxygen into the treatment process which is essential in sustaining the beneficial bacteria that consume the pollutants in the wastewater. If you have a requirement for reliable, energy efficient aeration, then the solution may be the EEE High Speed Floating Aerator.

A simple design with a low weight makes the unit easy to launch and it requires only mooring cables and a power supply to make it operable. This means that you will have greatly improved quality of wastewater in a very short time. The EEE aerators are well suited to aeration basins, sludge tanks, treated effluent ponds and leachate lagoons.

A better water flow begins with better streamlining. Computer-aided design and unitized fiberglass construction provides the smoothest curved intake, volute and discharge passage possible. The ergonomical shape allows for an efficient pumping flow rate – 969lps delivered by a 15kW EEE model compared to 524lps by a competitors 15kW model. Greater efficiency means ultimate savings in operational costs.

The EEE diffuser is larger in diameter to eliminate spray-back that could freeze up and corrode the motor as has been found to be the case in other aerator designs. All EEE aerators have large diffusers – the result of extensive engineering research – and these diffusers offer a number of important advantages:

  • The large EEE diffuser provides more surface for the inrushing water to follow
  • The spray is less susceptible to wind drift
  • The weight of the EEE diffuser minimizes vibration which means less wear and tear on components and a longer operating life.

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EEE aerators have been effectively utilised over a wide range of applications:

  • Municipal water treatment
  • Industrial wastewater treatment
  • Fish farming
  • Pulp and paper mills
  • Fruit and vegetable industry, dairy and cheese industry
  • Petrochemical industry
  • Wineries
  • Camp grounds
  • Motels

The EEE Aerator is the most effective, energy efficient aerator available and the most affordable. Simplified design and creative engineering have produced a superior product that you can rely on.

Minor upgrades to meet Health Safety Requirements

A recent site visit to the Burpengary Wastewater Treatment Plant to inspect existing clarifiers revealed that they required upgrading in order to meet current Health & Safety standards. All clarifier bridges are required to have obstruction sensing devices installed in front of the bridge access ladders and the leading wheel on each wheeled support carriage. This is to prevent bodily injury being inflicted should the machine unexpectedly contact an unaware observer.

The EPCO solution was to provide four ladder sensor (plough) assemblies complete with a stainless steel spring, stainless steel assembly bolting & Omron micro switch and actuator.

There were also four leading wheel track wiper assemblies supplied (one per leading wheel) each manufactured from stainless steel with stainless steel assembly bolting, neoprene wiper blade & Omron micro switch and actuator.

These were able to be retrofitted to the existing equipment and provided an efficient, cost effective solution.