More than 1.7km of that has been drilled underground using horizonal direction drilling (HDD).
The scheme, set to be complete and operational by mid-2024, will provide year-round water security for a number of Wamuran farmers while sustainably managing wastewater from Unitywater’s Caboolture South Treatment Plant
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Daniel Lambert praised the progress made in the past 12 months.
“I’m really proud of our project team and contractors who have successfully installed three quarters of the new pipeline required for this $120 million scheme,” he said.
“We’re installing 17km of new pipe, which will connect to an existing 5km section that was completed as part of early project works. Once completed, the 22km pipeline will supply Class A recycled water to farms in the Wamuran region.
“Just last week a concrete slab was poured at Moodlu Quarry which will host a three megalitre (3 million litres) balance tank to store the treated recycled water before being distributed to farms.
“This project has created hundreds of jobs for locals, with approximately 150 construction workers currently on site between the Moodlu Quarry and Caboolture.
“As the Moreton Bay region continues to grow and we produce higher volumes of recycled water, we will be able to connect additional customers to the scheme.”
Mr Lambert said the scheme would also help Unitywater meet its 2050 sustainability goal of zero nutrients diverted or offset from waterways.
“We’re the first water utility in Australia to commit to zero nutrients to waterways and this scheme will help us do just that – it will divert 2.6 gigalitres of recycled water from the Caboolture River each year, saving 11 tonnes of nitrogen and 1.8 tonnes of phosphorous from entering the waterway,” he said.
“We’re really excited to be seeing such great progress with this project and remain committed to sustainable development in our region.”
