Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy Presentation

Broadwater Wastewater Management StrategyBroadwaterWastewater Management StrategyRichmond Valley CouncilRVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management StrategyRVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management StrategyUp until mid 2001, Council and acommunity committee wereinvestigating the options for aWastewater Management Strategy forBroadwater to service the currentpopulation of approx 550 people, plus anallowance for expansionThis resulted in a report titled“Broadwater Wastewater ManagementStrategies” which was completed inJanuary 2000.RVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management StrategyOptions Considered1. Upgrading onsite systems2. Wastewater collection and transport optionsThe collection and transport systems options evaluated were:Conventional gravity systemConventional gravity system with composting toiletsCommon effluent drainageSeptic tank effluent pumpingGrinder pump systemVacuum systemsRVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy3. Vacuum SystemsA. The report at that time considered Vacuum Systems as thepreferred option.B. Details of Vacuum SystemC. Cost of connection to residents range from $1,000 - $2,500RVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy4. Treatment OptionsTo cater for the projected wastewater loads for Broadwater over a25 year design horizon, a total wastewater treatment capacityof 1150ep was required. Three scenarios for a centralisedWastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) were assessed.Construction of a new WWTW near Broadwater.Construction of a new WWTW at the existing Riley’s s Hill WWTWExpansion of the proposed augmentation of the Evans HeadWWTW.RVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy5. Connecting Existing HousesHouse level taken into consideration when schemedesignedVacuum or Pressure Sewer System means newconnections are quite shallowUsually undertaken by licensed plumberNot usually incorporated in scheme costsNeed to decommission old septic• House connected to new sewer• Pump out existing septic at ~ $400• Owner decides to remove tanks or decommission• Decommission = punch hole in floor of tank, placelime in tank to sterilize, fill with sand or collapselid and fill hole• Remove = excavate and remove tanks anddispose of materials legally, fill holeRVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy6. Connection to Evans Head STPProvision has been made for the future connection ofBroadwater sewer to the new STP at Evans Head. A200mm dia pipe will be allowed for in the construction ofthe inlet works at the new STP which will cater for thisfuture connection.Allowance has been made in the design of the new STPfor future sewer loads to be accepted from Broadwater.Sewer will need to be pumped via a 9.6Km long risingmain from Broadwater to the new STP at Evans.A return line to Broadwater can be laid in the sametrench for future return of effluent for reuseRVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy7. Reclaimed water managementA number of potential re-use and release option were considered:Agricultural re-useRe-use at the Sugar MillDual water supplyPotable re-usePartial and total release to Richmond RiverDeepwell injection at Evans Head.Continued release to Salty Lagoon of high quality effluentUrban reuseEbb tide discharge to the Evans RiverThe Wet Weather Release Strategy is currently out for community consultationRVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management StrategyThe committee recommended two preferred options to Council,which were subsequently adopted.1. Utilise Evans Head Sewerage Treatment Scheme, using vacuumcollection.2. Utilise and expand at Riley’s Hill Sewerage Treatment Plant usingvacuum collection with a combined agricultural re-use/riverdischarge.3. As a second preference, Riley’s Hill Treatment Plant could be usedwith vacuum collection with total river discharge.(increasing discharges to the Richmond River is no longer an option)RVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management StrategyCouncil at its meeting on the 19 September 2000,adopted those recommendations.As it was obvious that no funding would beforthcoming and because of the pressures of fundingthe Evans Head sewerage augmentation, councilresolved that:“any further work on the Broadwater seweragescheme be deferred until construction funding canbe confirmed”The last community newsletter was distributed inJuly 2001RVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy8. Cost of preferred options (2001$$$)1. Utilise Evans head Sewerage scheme using vacuum collection$3,980,000.1. Utilise an expanded Riley’s Hill Sewerage treatment plant usingvacuum collection system with a combined agricultural reuse/riverdischarge$3,910,00.1. Utilise Riley’s Hill Treatment Plant with vacuum collection andtotal river discharge$3,320,000.RVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management Strategy9. Current status of fundingAll water supply and sewerage schemes are now ranked by theDepartment of Energy, Utilities and SustainabilityBroadwater sewerage augmentation is ranked 5, whilst Evanshead augmentation is ranked 3.The department advised that no subsidy would be available inthe current 3 years program.At this stage it is unlikely that subsidy will be received andCouncil will have to proceed without subsidy. Thecommencement of preconstruction activities are listed forreconsideration in 2007/2008 management plan.RVC May 2006

Broadwater Wastewater Management StrategyWHERE TO FROM HERENew technologyInvestigationsPackaged PlantsHigh quality effluent to Sugar Mill (annual need??)Design and constructBack to drawing boardRVC May 2006