On Tap in the Redlands: Issue 10 – January 2017

Redland Water On Tap in the RedlandsIssue 10
January 2017

Temporary closure of Birkdale Waste Transfer Station

Please note the Birkdale Waste Transfer Station will be closed from Monday 13 February to Sunday 5 March (weather permitting). The closure is part of the final stage of the Birkdale landfill rehabilitation project, a legislative requirement of the State Government, which will improve the access and safety of the site, as well as reducing the environmental impact of the landfill. All site works during this period will be undertaken during the daytime.

Please visit Redland Bay Waste Transfer Station, 761–789 German Church Road, Redland Bay during this period for all residential waste and some types of commercial waste, recyclables and green waste. We apologise for any delays that may be caused by the additional traffic.

For the latest information about the closure, please visit Council’s Facebook page. Thank you for your patience during this project.

Innovative screw press technology improves performance at Mt Cotton wastewater treatment plant

Principal Control Systems Engineer, David Price, recently completed the design and project management of the Mt Cotton wastewater treatment plant dewatering upgrade to replace an old belt filter press that had reached the end of its life.

The $600,000 upgrade included a number of major improvements:

  • Inlet works concrete repairs
  • A new Spirac cake collection horizontal screw conveyor
  • Two new Ishigaki screw presses to replace the existing belt press
  • Two new Mono WAS pumps to replace the older units
  • Two new Mono polymer dosing pumps
  • New static mixers
  • Automation of the polymer batching system
  • Rewiring of the dewatering switchboard

Since completion, performance of the dewatering system has increased from 10-11 per cent dry solid output to more than 20 per cent dry solid output. This is a sensational improvement. David designed the flocculation system which has received great interest from the screw press suppliers.

Why is dewatering important?

Wastewater treatment plants are similar to a human body and unusable solid material has to be wasted from the system every day to avoid a build-up of solids. The purpose of dewatering is to remove water content from wasted sludge prior to disposal. The process greatly reduces the volume of the material and associated transportation costs.

Water content is removed from sludge using a screw press. A screw press is a type of machine press that uses a large rotating screw shaft to effectively separate liquid from flocculated solid material. The solid material (cake) is collected on a conveyor belt and carried to a covered disposal unit ready for collection/transportation.  Liquid (filtrate) is caught by a gravitational drain and returned to the plant.

On Tap in the Redlands (Redland Water news). A typical Ishigaki Screw Press installation
A typical Ishigaki Screw Press installation (source: Ishigaki)

 

On Tap in the Redlands (Redland Water news). Discharge of solids from the screw conveyor
Discharge of solids from the screw conveyor

What are the advantages of using a screw press?

  • Fully automatic with slow moving parts
  • Low carbon footprint and low noise levels
  • Removes the prior thickening stage
  • Produces a high quality, dryer product
  • Less maintenance, more reliable
  • Lower capital and operating costs

Watch a screw press in operation.

Don’t flush your wet wipes! Redlands joins forces with global water utilities to get the message across

Non-flushable and so-called ‘flushable’ wipes are a growing concern for water utilities and plant operators because they cause serious pipe blockages, disruptions and environmental impacts that can result in high maintenance costs.

To assist in getting the message out to consumers, Redland Water has joined forces with more than 300 water utilities across the globe to sign the international flushability statement. The statement provides clear guidelines for product labelling, stipulating only the 3Ps – pee, poo and toilet paper – should be flushed.

In a media release from the Water Services Association Australia (WSAA) on 12 December 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced its agreement to take action. The ACCC has already initiated proceedings in the Federal Court against companies who have made false or misleading claims.

Key messages of the statement

  • Only flush the 3Ps – pee, poo and toilet paper
  • All products currently labelled ‘flushable’ must be labelled ‘Do Not Flush’ until an agreed technical standard is introduced, preferably under the International Standards Organisation (ISO)
  • All products be labelled with clear and unambiguous information regarding disposal methods

Meet ‘The Rolls’

On Tap in the Redlands - The Rolls (QUU)
A family portrait of The Rolls, courtesy of QUU

The Rolls are a family of toilet rolls. Described as a ‘typical family of five’, the concept originated from Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU). Lou, Penelopee, Donny, Tinkle, Baby Lulu and Sausage the dog are helping QUU get the message across about what can and can’t be flushed down the toilet. Visit them on QUU’s website to learn how you can help their cause and follow their adventures on Facebook.

Become a Safey Star

Seqwater is on the hunt for a Safey Star as part of the plan ahead and play it safe campaign. To get involved, simply take a selfie while enjoying a safe activity on our waterways. There are great prizes to be won so visit their website and get snapping.

 

On Tap in the Redlands is produced by Redland City Council to share news about water supply, wastewater management and waste management in the Redlands.
On Tap in the Redlands is produced by Redland City Council to share news about water supply, wastewater management and waste management in the Redlands.

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