Dunsborough waste water treatment plant officially launched

12/10/01

A new $8.8 million Wastewater treatment plant in Dunsborough was officially opened today by Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards.
Located on Anniebrook Lane, 8km south-east of Dunsborough, the new, advanced technology treatment plant treats one million litres of raw wastewater from Dunsborough every day, with larger flows during peak holiday periods.
Dr Edwards said the treatment plant was a vital part of the infrastructure needed for Dunsborough, one of the State's fastest growing coastal communities. Over 2,000 Dunsborough homes and businesses are connected to the plant.
"This new treatment plant provides very high levels of protection for public health and the environment," she said.
"If we are to successfully manage the impact of our urban communities on our coastal environments, then we must continue to invest in this standard of facility because it is in the front line of environmental protection.
"This new plant reduces nutrients by more than 90 per cent and provides for the significant reuse of treated wastewater for a large on-site tree farm during most of the year."
Dr Edwards said the Dunsborough WWTP was a significant local engineering project. The main features of the project were:

• construction of more than eight kilometres of sewer pipe linking Dunsborough to the new plant;
• an on-site 60,000-kilolitre reservoir to store treated wastewater for tree farm irrigation;
• two bio-solids storage lagoons;
• 18km of on-site surface and subsoil drainage works;
• 40ha of tree farm planted - ultimately 100ha; and
• solar powered moisture probes to control the irrigation system.

Dr Edwards congratulated the Water Corporation and its contractors for designing and constructing the new treatment plant, which was a finalist in several engineering and environmental excellence awards.
Media contact: John Carey 9220 5050