Bellbridge project update

The Bellbridge WTP upgrade is now well progressed after work commenced onsite in August 2021. This multi- faceted project is nearing a critical milestone with pre commissioning due to start in July 2022. The project involves a number of key tasks including a gravity sewer construction, building construction, main switchboard, new  Floc-DAF-MMF process installation and integration into existing infrastructure. Once completed, the upgraded WTP will ensure a reliable water supply, treated to a high standard for the growing community of the NSW-Victorian border town of Bellbridge. The project is due for completion prior to Summer 2022 and represents one of the largest multi-faceted projects that the AquaManage Group has completed. AquaManage have engaged all local specialists, trades and service providers, with an emphasis on ensuring local business benefits from this key project for North East Water.

New Aquamanage branch in queensland

2022 brought about an exciting change for AquaManage with a new branch now established in Queensland.  From this new base, AquaManage will continue providing service and support to our existing clients and be well-positioned to expand our customer base in the Sunshine State.

Picturesque Beachside holiday park receives new water treatment plant

The Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks is located 35 kms South of Forster, New South Wales on the Seal Rocks Road. The Park is a popular destination for tourists providing an idyllic setting for surfing, fishing, boating and camping. The population is variable from approximately 25 semi-permanent residents to as high as around 460 guests during peak periods in summer.
The WTP project was designed, installed and commissioned by AquaManage with some local contractors providing necessary works to complete the project. The work was carried out though a quiet period at the park caused by COVID lockdowns.  The objective of the upgrade to the existing water supply was to improve treated water quality to ensure that the treated water meets or exceeds the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Onsite construction involved the removal of an existing WTP shed, extending the 7m x 10m concrete slab to 7m x 18m and erecting a new colourbond steel frame shed with bays for workshop, laundry and the Water Treatment Plant. We then installed all process equipment for the WTP, electrical lights and power to the building. A concrete pavement area was also constructed from the shed and tied into existing channel and kerbing. The process technology selected is based on our Ultrafiltration systems with nominal fibre pore size of 0.04micron using oxidant resistant PVdF sub-modules with ancillary equipment and chemical dosing systems to suit. A concerted effort was made to select key equipment that is Made in Australia (where possible), particularly the membrane process.

BELLBRIDGE WATER SYSTEM UPGRADE 

AquaManage has been awarded the North East Water contract to Design and Construct the Bellbridge WTP upgrade.  The project incorporates all facets of Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Process Engineering being for construction of a Dissolved Air Floatation (DAF) system followed by Multi-Media Filtration (MMF) and associated chemical dosing systems and ancillary equipment.

Initial works at the Bellbridge WTP are now well underway with site drainage and waste pipework  in progress and the new retaining wall almost completed. Work on the new Plant Room building and extension will commence shortly. Most, if not all the works are being carried out by local sub-contractors.

The township of Uki, in Northern NSW is now receiving highest quality of potable water from the recently completed Water Treatment Plant upgrade on the banks of the Tweed River

The WTP project was designed, installed and commissioned by AquaManage Group utilizing reputable local sub-contractors during 2020 throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in close consultation and co-operation with Tweed Shire Council (TSC) Operations and Technical teams.  Commissioning then followed from December 2020 through to February 2021 incorporating the new plant with the original clarification process, whilst maintaining water supply to the township of Uki.  Handover was effectively achieved in March 2021 and the plant has proven to consistently produce excellent quality drinking, exceeding the Specification and in compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). AquaManage would like to thank all those involved with making this project successful, particularly given the challenges presented.

The structural design for the building incorporated micropiles adjacent to the Tweed River, with a concrete slab at ground level for parking a vehicles and to house the Treated Water transfer system.  The Concrete besser block building stands on 2.8m high columns at a finished floor level exceeding 1:100 year flood level for extra asset protection.  Structural aluminium handrails, steps and walkways were custom built to access the existing building and top of the new tank farm area.  This project also incorporated all Civil works associated with roadways, drainage, landscaping and erosion control.

The new Filtration plant room houses the Ultrafiltration (UF) Membrane system, Clean-In-Place (CIP) tank and pump, Water Quality instrument and wet bench, Ultraviolet (UV) primary disinfection system, Air Scour Blowers for membrane maintenance, safety eye wash station and associated equipment.

Ultrafiltration Membrane system

The UF unit (FIL-40001) comprises of a Memcor Model CPII 16-L40N, low pressure PVdF hollow fibre membrane sub-modules.  Fitted with a custom-built local control system, water quality and quantity instrumentation for performance monitoring and all electric actuators for process controls. The UF unit is programmed to monitor membrane performance, cycle initiation and control and in-situ membrane maintenance.  Membrane backwashing is carried out periodically with dedicated Air Scour Blowers and Feed Water flushing, no need for large Compressed Air systems.  Membrane protection is also achieved using ODIS Filtering 400 m auto-backwashable pre-screens.  Fibre integrity testing is carried out daily using a dedicated Air Pump to ensure validated pathogen removal is being maintained.

Ultraviolet Disinfection system

The Wedeco Spektron 180e St/St UV Chamber is mounted off the wall of the building with the Control Cabinet installed nearby, the UV provides disinfection by Ultraviolet Radiation to damage the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, validated to ONORM certification.

Storage and Transfer systems

The tank farm area consists of 3x concrete tanks with aluminium walkway and handrails to access the tops of each tank from the WTP building. The Chlorine Contact Tank (CCT – TK-80000) is fitted with internal baffles to provide an arduous path and detention time for the residual disinfection with Sodium Hypochlorite after the UF, UV treatment and pH correction processes. Water flows through the CCT to the Treated Water Balance Tank (TWBT – TK-80000) before being pumped to town reticulation and storage.  The third tank is the CIP Waste tank (CIP – TK-41001) which accommodates the wastewater from the UF CIP cycle every 6-8 weeks.  There is a recirculation system provided for pH correction and neutralization before automatically discharging to sewer at a controlled rate or removed by vacuum truck.

uki wtp upgrade 

AquaManage are currently in the process of constructing a new Water Treatment Plant for the township of Uki in northern NSW.  The existing plant sits on the banks of the Tweed River and was extensively damaged in the 2017 flood.

The project included the construction of a new plant room to house an Ultrafiltration Membrane facility followed by Ultraviolet disinfection and associated chemical system upgrades.

Timely Upgrade for Bendeela wtp 

AquaManage were recently engaged by the Shoalhaven City Council for the Design & Construction of Water Filter Membrane Duplication Unit at the Bendeela Treatment Plant in Kangaroo Valley.

This project involved the design, supply and installation of a new Ultrafiltration Membrane skid to be located adjacent to the existing skid and be capable of delivering a minimum of 1.5 ML/day.  It was designed to operate in a duty/standby configuration with the existing plant and infrastructure.

The new Ultrafiltration skid consist of 28 MEMCOR® L40 Hollow Fiber Membranes. The system was also designed to incorporate the existing backwash tank, CIean-In-Place and air scour systems along with the raw water supply and treated water delivery systems.

"It was very successful and timely as it got us through the fires in KV in the new year – not long after commissioning. Couldn’t have done without it!"

Mark Jennings
Unit Manager – Water operations
Shoalhaven City Council

New water treatment plant for Cudgegong 

Mid Western Council engaged AquaManage to design and construct a containerized 150KL/Day Filtration Plant for the Cudgegong Waters Caravan Park provide potable water supply to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and NSW Health Regulations. The park, located on the southern shore of Windamere Dam is widely used for fishing, walking, boating, camping and other outdoor activities.

A 20ft Shipping container was converted to house the plant which has a PLC/HMI control system complete with remote monitoring and Data logging. The equipment used to achieve the clients requirements consisted of an AQM Pro 4 Module Ultrafiltration unit with a 200micron manual Pre filter plus an Activated Carbon Filter for taste & odour removal. 

New headquarters for aquamanage

AquaManage's new head office at 8 Chris Drive, LILYDALE.

The offices and warehouse area will act as a central base, providing extra space to manage the busy servicing schedule and project work.

Multiple Barriers Project

AquaManage Group were engaged by North East Water to carry out upgrade works at 4 water treatment plants. The project known as the “Multiple Barriers Project”  was completed in 4 stages  at 4 water treatment plants, namely, Oxley, Moyhu, Walwa and Wangaratta. Completed over an 18 month period, the primary objectives were to provide a higher level of water disinfection with the installation of fully validated (USEPA) UV disinfection systems. In addition improvements to electrical control and SCADA systems were completed, replacement of media filters and improvements to waste water disposal and recovery systems. Each site presented unique challenges and opportunities for Engineering solutions to meet the project objectives. The end result has been vastly improved operability and reliability, a higher level of treated water security and overall improved efficiency. Specific sites works included:

Oxley: new switchboard, control system, SCADA system and valving. Upgrade of backwash waste system. Installation of validated UV

Wangaratta: Installation of large validated UV,UVT monitoring system and pit/shelter

Walwa: new switchboard, control system, SCADA system, pipework, Backwash recovery system. Removal of exiting clarifier and installation of new pressure filters. Installation of validated UV

Moyhu: new switchboard, control system, SCADA system. Installation of new river feed system, backwash waste system. Installation of validated UV.

kokoda track challenge

Rick and Leigh were recently given the opportunity in joining some mates to tackle the challenging Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.  This trek was not just for personal achievement but also involved raising awareness and funds for Epilepsy Action Australia, who provides support to those suffering with the condition.  So in mid April, after several months and many kilometres of training for the trip, the team flew into Port Moresby to meet up with the rest of their group and trek leaders to set off from Owers’ Corner through the jungle along the gruelling track.

The 96km track passes through the inhospitable terrain of the Owen Stanley Ranges and comprises of unbelievably steep precipices that seem to never end, deep ravines and numerous river crossings.  Along the way stories of amazing courage, survival and camaraderie were shared and an insight to the hardship faced by our Diggers made the journey emotionally challenging as well as physically demanding.  Commemorating Anzac Day at the dawn service at Isurava’s Memorial was a highlight of the journey.

On the final day heading into Kokoda the group had a sense of personal triumph, overcoming many challenges that including relentless tropical rain and severe gastro that lead to one group member needing medical evacuation. Overall, the preparation that Rick and Leigh put in prior to their adventure put them in good stead and they arrived safely home (although several kilos lighter) with a greater appreciation of those involved in that era of Australia’s history.

Rick and Leigh greatly appreciated the effort and input from Team Leader, Peter (from Kokoda Spirit) and the support from the local guides which helped to make their trek such an amazing experience. Thanks also to Todd and Matt at Qubed for putting the idea into action and many thanks to the individuals and businesses who have donated via the Every Day Hero page in support of Epilepsy Action Australia.  https://give.everydayhero.com/au/qubed-kokoda-trek#