Oakey Creek Clarifier & Inlet Works

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Oakey Creek was an interesting project for EPCO Australia. EPCO designed, manufactured and delivered to site a new clarifier tank, inlet works and associated equipment. This project stands as an example of EPCO’s ability to develop a design that would augment the existing sewage treatment plant (STP) already on site – which itself was installed by EPCO Australia in 1978 and remains operations to this day. To augment the existing plant, EPCO worked with multiple contractors to implement a cost effective design that will allow the plant to treat a higher hydraulic load.

Oakey Creek is a great example of EPCO Australia’s tradition of proudly delivering water assets that lasts for generations: on time, on budget and hassle free every time. Oaky Creek STP has been operational for 37 years and will continue to operate under the higher hydraulic loads due to the modifications  implemented on this project.

 

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The EPCO Clean Sweep Roller brush – a simple solution for launder algal growth

In clarifier maintenance the problem for a Utility Operator is often the cleaning of Algae in the Launder.
A few of the issues include:

  • Safety of workers in slippery troughs.
  • Spray Systems that increase the cost of maintenance and power.
  • And for some, home made brush solutions that are less effective.

EPCO Australia is proud to announce the release of it’s innovative Clean Sweep roller brush solution. The Clean Sweep roller brush, for use in Clarifier Launders, has been developed to help reduce the problem of Algal growth. The Clean Sweep Roller Brush comprises five rollers covering 90% of the active trough zone where Algae commonly grows. Instead of developing a single brush that attempts to cover the entire trough, our EPCO design team divided the launder into zones targeting each roller with a particular task from the weir rim to the outer launder wall.

As with all EPCO innovations maintenance was a high priority – in the case of the Clean Sweep system each roller is easily removed and replaced. If a retrofit is required, Clean Sweep can be easily tailored to suit any existing clarifier.
The EPCO Clean Sweep Roller brush – another case of simple solutions for difficult problems.

For more information on the EPCO Clean Sweep system or to discuss your maintenance and spare parts needs.

Email us at [email protected]

Call 02 9089 8833.

Click below to see the Clean Sweep in action

Oxley Creek Sewage Treatment Plant Rehabilitation

The QUU Oxley Creek Sewage Treatment Plant is the second largest sewage treatment plant in Queensland.
The Brisbane flood of 2011 caused $32 million worth of damage forcing part of the plant offline but due to industrial and residential growth in the area Queensland Urban Utilities is investing $15 million to bring those facilities back online to cater for demand.
A range of flood proofing measures are being rolled out including raising electrical equipment such as switchboards, 30cm higher than the 2011 flood peak.
The main contract for the design, supply, construction and commissioning of the flood affected Stages 1–4 of the plant was recently won by Monadelphous Engineering. EPCO Australia and Monadelphous have a long standing relationship, working together on projects such as NSW Public Works decanter installations for Cowra WWTP, Nambucca Heads WWTP and Wallerawang WWTP, Bundaberg Regional Council Bargara WWTP aeration and clarifier upgrade and Lake Cathie/Bonny Hills STP clarifier installations.

We are therefore pleased to announce that EPCO was awarded the sub-contract from Monadelphous for the rehabilitation of eight peripheral drive clarifiers as part of the Oxley Creek upgrade project.

Message from our General Manager Paul Cobbin

In general 2014 was a year of solid project activity and strong international growth for EPCO – we have successfully undertaken projects in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Central Queensland, North Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

We have continued to strengthen our relationship with existing clients such as Oil Search, Stirloch and Oaky Creek Mine as well as developed new client relationships with Fulton Hogan and Water PNG. It was a pleasure during the year to have reignited a longstanding relationship with Monadelphous.

Looking back, the greatest satisfaction of 2014 comes from the level of support that continues to grow – our clients are welcoming of the next generation of the business, our team have continued to exceed customer expectations and our new strategic relationships in international markets are ahead of the strategic plan. On the international front, special thanks go out to Luminious Consultants in Papua New Guinea and Lantain Water in China.

From a successful 2014 we move on to 2015 where we hope to deepen our relationships all round and exceed our current growth targets. On behalf of co-director, David Bristow, and the whole EPCO team I wish you, your associates and family a successful, prosperous and peaceful 2015.

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.