Recent wet weather has significantly reduced the available storage capacity at the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant, and the wet conditions are impacting works as part of the Kyneton Solutions Project.
Managing Director Damian Wells said the $15-17 million investment will deliver improved treatment processes, more than double storage capacity at the plant in addition to new irrigation storages offsite. It will also provide greater protection to the Campaspe River.
“Phase 1 works were completed in March this year and works are underway as part of Phase 2, which include the construction of an additional 200-megalitres storage lagoon at the plant. We had planned this would be completed by December this year, however wet weather is impacting the works onsite and we now anticipate works to be completed early in new year.
“This delay, together with the delayed start to the irrigation season, has put pressure on our plant operations and lagoon levels,” Mr Wells said.
The current La Niña weather event means the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast wetter conditions for the next few months.
“The recent rainfall has caused a sharp increase in lagoon levels at the water reclamation plant.
“Last week 55 millimetres of rain fell in the region over two days, resulting in inflows to the plant which increased lagoon volume from 85 to 98 per cent.
“Typical inflows to the plant average 2 megalitres per day and last week we experienced a day in which plant inflows exceeded 11 megalitres.
“These high inflows are a combination of wastewater and additional infiltration and inflows to the sewer network that occur during storm events.
“We are currently releasing tertiary treated Class B recycled water to the Campaspe River, which is compliant with our Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria licence conditions for water quality and river flow dilution. Tertiary treated water is from the domestic system at our plant.
“With more wet weather forecast and until Phase 2 is completed early in the new year, we will need to release additional Class B recycled water to the Campaspe River.
“This water will come from our lagoon system and while not tertiary treated, it is treated to Class B standard through our recently commissioned new Class C to B treatment plant. We are doing everything possible to remain compliant with our licence not withstanding our challenging operating conditions.
“We are planning to release around four megalitres of Class B recycled water per day in total from Monday 19 October 2020,” Mr Wells said.
A range of operational measures have been put in place to store and treat as much water onsite as possible, including the carting of treated water to other water reclamation plants.
“Also from Monday around 8 truckloads a day will transport approximately 200 kilolitres of treated water per day to help create lagoon storage space at the plant.
“We are continuing to keep downstream landowners and the EPA informed on plant operations. Weekly updates will be provided via our website until lagoon levels decrease and the irrigation season commences.
“The current works that are well advanced are designed to achieve sustainable operations at the plant and manage rainfall events of this size.” Mr Wells said.
For more information on plant operations, the Kyneton Solutions Project and to sign up for plant operation and project updates, visit www.coliban.com.au
Last updated on 16 Oct 2020