4.4 A sustainable sewerage network
4.4.1 Plan , deliver and manage a high quality sewerage network and treatment facilities .
4.4.2 Effective and efficient use of recycled water .
2014-15 95 % 94 %
100 %
2015-16 92 % 91 %
100 %
STATUS
One of the key services Council provides is the safe transfer of sewage , as well as treatment and disposal to make sure we service our region and maintain its liveability . The treatment of the region ’ s sewage is a complex process and with the implementation of best practice water reclamation , we can ensure the ecological footprint of our region is reduced . As our region continues to grow , Council needs to ensure that we build the infrastructure required to service this growth , while maintaining existing facilities and operations . We are consistently streamlining our processes to ensure innovation and provide the best environmental and fiscally-responsible outcomes for our residents .
Our challenges
• Excessive algal growth and bird life in treatment ponds at Crows Nest Common Effluent Drainage ( CED )
• Maintaining constant power supply to facilities during storm season
• Revitalisation of existing ageing sewerage networks to meet the growing needs of our community
• Project management of contractors to meet required timeframes and agreements
• Ad hoc , emergency works taking priority over scheduled maintenance ; impacting the progression of major projects
• Delays with the building of infrastructure due to the reallocation of resources to the integration of the TSRC
• Educating the community on flushable products and the impact of sewerage blockages .
Our achievements
• Completion of the Pittsworth Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Compliance with the Trade Waste Policy and licence requirements
• Completion of sewer relining in Yarraman , Oakey and Toowoomba
• Provision of sewerage and wastewater treatment to 127,096 customers
• Collection and treatment of 7,506 megalitres ( ML ) of wastewater
• Completion of the Yarraman Sewerage Study and review of Crows Nest Effluent Irrigation Scheme
• Tenders called for Stage 1 of the Meringandan West Sewerage Infrastructure Project
• Development and implementation of a systematic inspection program for wastewater passive network
• Connection of Cambooya and Wyreema to the Wetalla Water Reclamation Facility
• All recycled water schemes compliant with the amended Water Supply ( Safety and Reliability ) Act 2008 requirements and deadlines .
Community outcomes
A sustainable and maintained sewerage network
When it comes to sewerage services , our community expects continuity of service and Council continually improves the way we plan for , respond to and recover from events that cause disruption . Council this year worked to incorporate updates to legislation and commence the planning for a new Sewerage Pump Station Policy that will provide a consistent approach to the development of new sewerage infrastructure as it is required across the region . The planning of Council ’ s sewerage network includes extensive analysis of current assets and the development of processes to maximise the useful life of existing infrastructure . This has included an analysis of Yarraman ’ s sewerage processes , a review of Crows Nest effluent irrigation scheme and a Greater Western Sewerage Study . Council has also developed and implemented a systematic inspection program for our wastewater passive network , which will target and maintain significant network assets over the coming years . An annual sewer manhole rehabilitation capital works program has also been finalised this year , with the works to commence over the coming years .
This year Council commenced work to support the south-west growth corridor in Westbrook . A $ 5.8 million upgrade of the wastewater network including a new sewage pumping station at Wyreema and an 8 kilometre pipeline will connect Cambooya and Wyreema to Council ’ s main Wetalla Water Reclamation Facility for treatment . The Sewerage Network Enabling Project has resulted in construction commencing on sewerage pump stations in Troy ’ s Road , Draper Road and O ’ Mara Road in Charlton . This project has also seen construction progress on a sewerage pump station at Vision Street and Draper / Steger Road gravity main .
Construction of new sewerage infrastructure is well advanced this year , with 72 per cent of works completed for the Kingsthorpe , Gowrie Junction and Westbrook sewerage projects , the Wyreema sewer pump station , Pittsworth sewerage treatment plant upgrade , Highgrove Estate trunk sewer and rehabilitation of the vast sewer network . These works provide both new and upgraded sewerage
108 CHAPTER 4 Our goals TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL Annual Report 2015 - 2016