Upgrades to century-old pump station in Newcastle

Hunter Water has completed upgrades to the Newcastle West 1 Wastewater Pump Station next to Marketown Shopping Centre car park. The revitalised pump station now requires less future maintenance, improves amenity for surrounding residents, shoppers and businesses, and supports future population growth in the area.

Following preparatory work carried out in late 2022, the upgrade work started onsite in July 2023. Improvements include removing the ageing vent stack, installing an interim odour control unit (OCU) to minimise odours, delivering and commissioning a larger, permanent odour control unit, and restoring the concrete structures, new pipework and fencing.

Darren Cleary, Hunter Water Managing Director, said the upgrades will help protect the pump station and pipework from corrosion and improve community amenity.

Inlet chamber post remediation.

With the major work now complete, minor work, such as ground restoration, checks and testing may continue into January 2024. This will be contained within the boundary of the pump station with minimal impact on traffic and parking.

A 1911 photograph of the area.

The Newcastle West 1 WWPS is one of Hunter Water’s oldest WWPSs, constructed in 1909. It services customers in the western parts of the Newcastle CBD and the suburbs of Adamstown, Broadmeadow, Hamilton, Islington, Mayfield, New Lambton, Tighes Hill and Wickham.

The upgrade is part of Hunter Water’s extensive works program to keep infrastructure in good shape so it can continue delivering safe and efficient services.

Top image caption: Activated carbon odour control unit installation on site.