Traralgon Pump Station gets major upgrade
Gippsland Water’s Traralgon pump station and emergency storage is undergoing a major upgrade as part of the Gippsland Water Factory project.
When complete, the pump station will form a critical part of project, as it will pump wastewater back to the water factory’s Maryvale plant for treatment.
The pump station, which is located off Marshalls Road, Traralgon currently collects untreated wastewater from homes and businesses in the town and pumps it into the Regional Outfall Sewer, which travels to Dutson Downs.
The upgrade works are being undertaken by the Gippsland Water Factory Alliance and its contractors. Civil earthworks started at the site in February and the full upgrade is expected to be complete in October. The upgrade involves construction of a new 10 million litre storage inside the existing emergency storage basin; lining and covering the new storage to prevent odour emissions once operational; installation of new pumps and pipe work inside the existing pump station well; and installation of a new advanced odour treatment facility. When the Traralgon pump station and emergency storage upgrade is complete, in addition to the operational component of the storage being lined and covered, the facility will also have odour treatment, something it is currently without.
In order to complete the works it is necessary to temporarily shut down the Traralgon pump station and divert wastewater to the emergency storage at the site for a period of up to eight weeks, starting Monday 19 May. While this work could potentially generate some odour, Gippsland Water Factory and its contractors have implemented numerous mitigation measures to ensure odour impacts are kept to an absolute minimum. This will include continually pumping the wastewater out of the emergency storage into the Regional Outfall Sewer to reduce the likelihood of it generating odour, and adding common deodorising chemicals before the wastewater enters the storage. However, weather conditions (particularly wind direction) can play a major role in the extent of any odour impact.
It is important to note that the wastewater diversion works associated with the Traralgon pump station upgrade will be completed in an eight week period and therefore any impacts on surrounding residents will be temporary only. Residents living closest to the pump station have been notified about the works, however anyone with concerns or who would like further information should telephone 1800 066 401.
Click here to view the information sent to nearby residents |