Camperdown biosolids project progressing

20 February 2020

A major upgrade of Wannon Water’s Camperdown Biosolids Facility is well underway.

Camperdown biosolids upgrade

 

The $2 million project, at the Old Geelong Road facility, began last year and is around 50 per cent complete.

Wannon Water’s project manager Pabitra Joshi said the project would help cater for future growth and protect public health and the environment.

“The existing facility has reached the end of its serviceable age and needs to be refurbished, “Mr Joshi said. “The project will involve relining the 4.2-hectare primary lagoon with new clay and improvements to the delivery area.”

Melbourne company Shamrock Civil Engineering has been contracted for the work which is expected to be completed by the end of April.

The project includes:

  • Refurbishment of the existing drying and stockpile drying area, including grading and replacement of the wear layer
  • An upgrade of the existing truck tipping point to improve safety and biosolids tipping capacity
  • The installation of a new lighting system at the tipping point
  • An upgrade of the turning area at the tipping point
  • An upgrade of the truck wash-down system
  • Refurbishment of the existing access road.

Clay for the construction is being sourced from Corangamite Shire’s Naroghid landfill.

The Camperdown Biosolids Facility is used to store and process sludge from the sewage treatment plants at Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

Sludge is dried and composted for at least three years to satisfy guidelines set by the Environment Protection Authority. It then becomes nutrient-rich, organic matter, known as biosolids, which look, smell and feel like dark, rich soil.

Biosolids are used as a soil conditioner on local farms, delivering environmental and economic benefits for farmers and Wannon Water.