Major investment to Bellbridge water and sewer infrastructure
14 February 2023
North East Water has recently completed a major upgrade to the Bellbridge water treatment plant and is about to start work on upgrading the town’s sewage treatment plant.
Both projects support the growth and development of the town by increasing drinking water storage capacity and also the volume of wastewater that can be treated.
General Manager Planning & Infrastructure, Guy Wilson-Browne, said the projects are a more than $8 million investment in the town.
“Our work in Bellbridge began in 2018 with the replacement of the water pumps and pipework that takes untreated water from Lake Hume to the town’s water treatment plant”, Mr Wilson-Browne said.
“Two large water tanks were also installed to increase storage capacity of treated water, while the most recent work involved a total upgrade of the treatment plant to increase treatment capacity and the installation of new processes to guard against blue-green algae blooms.”
Mr Wilson-Browne added, “We will also be starting the upgrade of the town’s sewage treatment plant in coming weeks.”
“The upgrade will help support growth well into the future and will reduce odour issues that are sometimes experienced during certain weather conditions.
“The work will involve the construction of a new 20 megalitre lagoon near the site of the existing treatment plant.
“This lagoon will hold treated recycled water that will be used to irrigate adjoining land in the summer months.”
During the upgrade work and construction of the lagoon, residents will sometimes see an increase in traffic in some parts of town, with traffic management in place during this time.
These projects are an important component of North East Water’s regional $286 million investment in new and upgraded water and sewer infrastructure during the 2018-26 pricing plan.