Burwood Beach UV Treatment Plant

NSW
Hunter Water
2015 - 2017
48ML

treated per day

220,000

population serviced

0

disruption to normal operations

1

ultraviolet disinfection system constructed

Abergeldie was engaged by Hunter Water to design, construct, test, and commission a new Ultraviolet disinfection system to upgrade processing capacity and output quality at the existing Burwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). These upgrades were essential to ensure the plant complied with an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) pollution reduction program (PRP). 

Scope of works

The scope of work included:

  • Detailed process design for the new UV system and consequent adjustments to existing plant processes to enable integration. 
  • Civil, building, mechanical and electrical design. 
  • New electrical substation. 
  • Complex FRP construction of UV system structure. 
  • Connecting pipework, pumps, and valves. 
  • Relocation of existing WAS pipeline. 
  • New penstocks, actuators and stop boards. 
  • Mechanical and electrical equipment installation. 
  • Control system installation, programming, and integration. 
  • Realignment of access roads. 

Construction coordination and excavation challenges

The works at the Burwood WWTP were carried out under brownfield conditions, with the construction area very close to existing operational process equipment and a large number of buried and above-ground service lines. Close coordination was required with Hunter Water’s on-site plant operations agent to ensure minimal disruption to normal plant operations. For some elements, this necessitated the design and installation of temporary flow diversions.

Environmental considerations

The site bordersan environmentally sensitive beachfront nature reserve, on sandy soil among coastal dunes. Over an extended period, fill was placed above the sandy base to create a level, raised plateau on which most of the plant was built. Deep excavation into this soft, relatively unstable soil, with carefully designed and placed sheet piling, was required to position the base of the new UV structure low enough to provide a hydraulic profile for gravity flow through the system.

Improved capacity and compliance

The Burwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant is designed to operate at a high capacity, treating 48 megalitres per day and serving up to 220,000 people. Abergeldie delivered the project, ensuring the plant is compliant with EPA requirements.