| posted on May 25, 2017
WORK on $17.6 million worth of upgrades to the Albany wastewater treatment plant is expected to begin later this month.
The Timewell Road project will ensure the treatment plant is able to accommodate future growth in the Great Southern and likely to be completed by mid-2018.
The McGowan Labor Government’s multi-million dollar upgrades will ensure the wastewater treatment plant continues to provide a reliable service to residents and businesses by increasing the plant’s capacity.
Most of the work will be confined to the wastewater treatment plant site. Water and wastewater services in the area will not be disrupted during the work.
Minister for Water Dave Kelly also confirmed that the treated wastewater would continue to be reused by the Water Corporation during and after the upgrade to irrigate a nearby tree farm, which he said was an environmentally friendly way to manage the disposal of Albany’s wastewater.
The Albany Wastewater Treatment Plant is an important sustainable wastewater management initiative, as 100 per cent of the treated wastewater from the plant is reused to irrigate a nearby tree farm.
The 400-hectare tree farm is made up of blue gums, which are harvested by the Water Corporation every four years and sold as woodchips.
The tree farm helped the Corporation to achieve a greenhouse gas abatement of 110,000 tonnes in 2003, a major reason behind the Water Corporation winning that year’s Australian Greenhouse Challenge Gold Award.
“The contract for the project was awarded to Guidera O’Connor, with up to 12 of its employees to take part in the upgrade.
“The expertise of local subcontractors from Albany, Capel and Bunbury will also be used as part of the project,” Mr Kelly said.
