Mount Isa City Council has celebrated the official opening of the upgraded Mount Isa Waste Water Reclamation Plant which will deliver a wider range of reuse options and environmental benefits for the local community.
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The new $5 million sewerage treatment plant filters and turn effluent waste into Class A water which can be used to irrigate parks and sporting fields.
Speaking at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, Mayor Joyce McCulloch hailed the federal and state funding which enabled the project to become a reality.
“The sewer treatment plant upgrade enables up to four mega litres of sewerage every day to be converted to Class A quality irrigation water using bio-filter systems in place of chemicals,” Cr McCulloch said.
“The Australian and Queensland government funding has enabled Council to significantly expand its recycled water irrigation program, enhancing the look and liveability of the city especially in drought.”
Senator for Queensland Matthew Canavan said effluent water could be used in mining and construction operations.
“The project has ensured the Mount Isa Waste Water Reclamation Plant will be capable of meeting current licence conditions as well as meeting the Class A standard required for human health protection,” Senator Canavan said.
“It is vital that we protect the supply of potable water especially during critical times such as in times of drought.”
Cr McCulloch said the next phase was to use their Works for Queensland funding to pipe water from the treatment plant to Buchanan Park to green that area.
Council said it would require 2km of pipe from Sunset Drive to the southern end of Buchanan Park and the work is expected to be complete by December.
Copuncil said it is already irrigating 80 hectares from the scheme and Buchanan Park will add another 20 ha.
The irrigation tank holds 2.8 megalitres and is processing 4 megalites a day.
The Upgrade of Stage 2A Sewer Augmentation at Mount Isa was jointly funded by the federal government ($2.515 million), Queensland government ($1.006 million), and Mount Isa City Council ($1.509 million).
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
