Impressive results follow sewerage treatment plant upgrade

Published on 06 August 2015

The South Rockhampton Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) has received a major upgrade and the flow on effects have been impressive to say the very least.

Fitzroy River Water completed a process upgrade to the STP earlier this year, and have since celebrated a number of improvements to the facility’s operations.

Chair of Council’s Water Committee, Councillor Greg Belz said the improvements are something the entire Region can celebrate.

“This project means benefits all-round for the environment and our Region,” Cr Belz said.

“The upgrade is seeing an increase in the plant’s capacity, a refinement of its treatment processes and major cost savings.”

Since completion, the upgrade has seen advancements to the treatment processes of the plant and improvements in the quality of waters being discharged into the Fitzroy River.

Cr Belz said on average the nitrogen being released into the Fitzroy River estuary has reduced by an impressive 1000kg per week.

“It’s a huge reduction and a rapid and significant change in nitrogen removal performance overall,” Cr Belz said.

He said the improvement also comes at a reduction in energy consumption, with the STP now using up to 20% less electricity prior to the upgrade.

The reduction is expected to lead to an annual saving of around $30,000 in reduced electricity cost.

The project was completed at a cost of approximately $1million – part of a major sewerage upgrade across the Rockhampton Region.