Work is continuing at the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant to significantly improve the taste of water in coastal areas by upgrading the plant’s technology and treatment process.
The multi-million dollar upgrade has been underway since 2021 and is nearing completion.
Bundaberg Regional Council Water and Wastewater portfolio spokesperson Cr Jason Bartels said the upgrade would address taste and odour issues which sometimes occurred after prolonged periods of dry and warm weather.
“The Kalkie Water Treatment Plant upgrade represents a fair jump in technology for this facility which has allowed us to update our treatment process,” Cr Bartels said.
“Essentially, we have been able to add an additional step onto our process which mitigates against the historic issues around taste and odour with the water supplied to coastal areas when there are variances in the quality of the source water due to seasonal impacts.
“With additional process units such as primary clarification, activated carbon dosing, sludge thickening and improved coagulant dosing, we reduce the potential for taste and odour issues.
“It gives Council, and our treatment plant operators, more tools with which to treat the water.”
Cr Bartels said the new Kalkie Water Treatment Plant was expected to be operational this year.
“To ensure the continuity of water supply to these areas our staff have been undertaking the complicated process of continuing to provide water to the community through a treatment plant which is simultaneously undergoing a significant upgrade.
“I know residents have been awaiting the outcome of this project and Bundaberg Regional Council thanks them for their patience.”
Areas supplied by the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant include Burnett Heads, Bargara, Innes Park, Coral Cove and Elliott Heads.
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