Improvements for Leanyer Sanderson ponds

21 Dec 2011

Water Services General Manager Steve McKenzie said that more work was completed this dry season to further improve the performance of the Leanyer Sanderson wastewater treatment plant.

"The second of the ten ponds was emptied so accumulated sediment could be removed,” said Mr McKenzie.

"Desludging is done about every ten years as part of routine maintenance, and Power and Water is undertaking these works as part of an accelerated program to advance the improvements at this facility.

"Also a number of hydraulic improvements have commenced in order to improve flow through the ponds and improve the quality of the effluent being discharges, namely:

• Modifications to the channels;
• Installing baffles to increase retention times;
• Installing aerators in ponds to assist in nutrient removal.

"The Corporation is investigating further ways to reduce nutrient levels and reduce the discharge of algae that helps treat the wastewater in the ponds system.

"Power and Water is also assessing options for long-term wastewater treatment at this site for possible implementation over the next five years, including:

• Increasing treatment to tertiary standards;
• Increasing wastewater recycling in the northern suburbs to reduce the volume of treated effluent being discharged, for example for irrigation of public open-space during the dry season;
• Constructing an ocean outfall to eliminate discharges into Buffalo Creek.

For more information read the fact sheet.