News
McLaren Vale-Willunga wastewater agreement
4th July 2003
Up to 3 million litres of effluent from local septic tanks will daily be converted into usable water under an innovative partnership to be announced next week by the City of Onkaparinga and United Utilities Australia.
Under the partnership, UUA will complete a new sewage plant at Willunga early next year and operate and manage the city’s STEDS (septic tank effluent disposal scheme) until 2028. UUA will also manage the city’s septic tank de-sludging program and STEDS capital works program.
Treated effluent from McLaren Vale, McLaren Flat and Willunga will be processed at the plant and discharged into the council’s existing Willunga storage dam. From there it will be pumped to a nearby golf course and, subject to positive negotiations, local vineyards. The Mayor of Onkaparinga, Ray Gilbert, said the council had begun negotiations with potential end users. “This is a win-win situation all round,” Mayor Gilbert said. “The partnership will address the long-term needs of the community, enabling the STEDS system to cope with business, residential and agricultural growth in the area. “The economic and environmental benefits to the region will be considerable with potential flow-on effects in jobs. Council also gains a partner with the technology and expertise to ensure sewage treatment schemes come up to required standard, and managed and operated in a way that conforms with increasingly stringent legislation.”
UUA’s managing director, Graham Dooley, said the agreement was the result of the council’s innovative approach to improving sewage systems. “Many councils throughout South Australia face substantial outlays to bring their sewage treatment facilities into line with current, far less forthcoming legislative requirements, particularly as regards the environment,” Mr Dooley said. “The City of Onkaparinga has worked closely with us to develop this innovative partnering agreement. It puts the onus on my company to operate within strict environmental and legislative guidelines, while adding to the area’s economic well-being.”
Part of the global multi-utility United Utilities PLC, UUA has its national headquarters in Adelaide and operates 10 water treatment plants in rural SA. UUA also operates water treatment plants in Sydney and Melbourne and runs a facility at BHP Billiton’s Yabulu nickel refinery near Townsville, which treats tailings water to a stage where it can be reused in refinery processes.
From July 1, UUA, in partnership with Origin Energy Asset Management, also took over operations including customer services for Victorian regional body, Coliban Water.
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