Perth wastewater facility to receive $238.5m upgrade

Work has begun on a $238.5 million upgrade to Water Corporation’s Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility in Western Australia. The wastewater treatment plant collects and treats 150 million litres of wastewater daily from around 900,000 homes and businesses in Perth’s southern suburbs.

The facility processes up to 78 tonnes of organic matter each day, which is treated to produce biosolids, a valuable resource used as safe, sustainable fertiliser in broadacre agriculture.

As part of a three-year Water Corporation project announced by Water Minister Simone McGurk, the facility will be progressively upgraded to treat 120 tonnes daily, keeping pace with a growing population and catering for higher future inflows.

"The Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility is a key piece of infrastructure servicing more than 900,000 homes and business in Perth's south — and now it will set a new benchmark in sustainable resource recovery too.

"Nearly half the plant's energy needs will be generated onsite, which is another significant step towards Water Corporation's target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035," McGurk said.

Enhanced energy recovery technology will be installed at the facility, allowing it to capture and reuse more biogas as a renewable energy source.

These upgrades will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 5600 tonnes CO_2-e annually, as less power will need to be purchased from the electricity grid to run the plant, supporting Water Corporation’s target of net zero by 2035.

By centralising solids treatment at the facility and improving treatment efficiency, there will be 1000 fewer truck movements each year, further reducing emissions by around 1300 tonnes CO_2-e annually.

The project will be delivered by Water Corporation joint venture partners Clough and Jacobs Group Australia.

Wastewater is no longer seen as waste and is now treated and recycled as a fit-for-purpose resource used to alleviate pressure on valuable scheme water supplies. Water Corporation aims to recycle up to 35% of wastewater in the Perth metropolitan area by 2035.

"The Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility plays an important role in servicing our community of Cockburn and beyond.

"As the largest water resource recovery facility in WA, these upgrades will ensure it can meet the needs of the community in an efficient and sustainable way," said Cockburn MLA David Scaife.

Image credit: iStock.com/Daniel Balakov