Project summary
Unitywater is planning a major improvement to the treatment of sewage flows which are currently treated at the existing Suncoast Sewage Treatment Plant, located off Finland Road on the western side of the Sunshine Motorway.
This sewage treatment plant serves the catchments of South Marcoola, Mudjimba, Pacific Paradise and Twin Waters.
The existing plant, which was last upgraded in 1998, is operating beyond its design capacity and accordingly requires improvement works to cater for anticipated population growth in these catchments.
Unitywater has now carried out extensive investigations into the options to provide a treatment capacity of approximately 4.5 million litres / day to meet anticipated growth in the region. The best option identified was the closure of the Suncoast STP and the transfer of the sewage flows to the existing Maroochydore Sewage Treatment Plant where capacity exists to fully treat these flows.
By maximising the use of existing assets and deferring the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades Unitywater will provide a cost saving of around $20 million to the community.
The treatment of the Suncoast flows at the existing Maroochydore Sewage Treatment Plant will improve the water quality of the mid reaches of the Maroochy river and result in a healthier river for the community.
Design will be undertaken from January to June 2012 prior to the construction tender being released to market. Construction of the new pumping station and transfer main is scheduled from October 2012 to April 2014, weather permitting.
Fast facts
| Location |
Finland Road, Bli Bli |
|
Benefits
|
The closure of the Suncoast Sewage Treatment Plant and transfer of flows to the Maroochydore Sewage Treatment Plant for full treatment will:
- cater for the increasing population in the area;
- improve the standard of treatment provided;
- reduce the impact on the environment;
- improve the quality of the Maroochy River; and
- better utilise existing sewage treatment assets.
|
| Supplier |
A construction partner is yet to be determined.
|
| Completion |
Commissioning is expected to commence in July 2014. |
| Funding |
$11 million. |
Background and Details
The Suncoast Sewage Treatment Plant was originally constructed in 1988 and was last upgraded in 1998 with the construction of a new solids handling facility.
This sewage treatment plant currently treats an Average Dry Weather Flow (ADWF) of 3.5 million litres/day. Treated effluent from the plant is currently discharged to mid reaches of the Maroochy River.
Unitywater’s selected option to transfer the Suncoast Sewage Treatment Plant sewage flows to the Maroochydore Sewage Treatment Plant for full treatment will provide Unitywater with an improved and more flexible operating network and will improve the utilisation of its existing sewage treatment assets at Kawana and Maroochydore. The selected option will also provide significant environmental benefits to the community.
The detailed route of the pipeline to transfer sewage flows to the Maroochydore STP is currently being determined with a design partner. Once the preferred solution has been designed, suitable construction partner/s will be engaged to undertake the construction of the new infrastructure.
The closure of the Suncoast Sewage Treatment Plant and transfer of the sewage flows to the existing Maroochydore Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade for full treatment will cater for anticipated growth in the South Marcoola, Mudjimba, Pacific Paradise and Twin Waters catchments.
More information
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us.
Map of the Suncoast Sewage Treatment Plant catchment area
Aerial view of the existing Suncoast Sewerage Treatment Plant