Douglas WTP Upgrade - Phase 1

Client:

Townsville City Council

Location:

Townsville, Queensland

Service:

Water treatment

Capacity:

80 ML/d

Value:

AUD $1.0 M

Problems:

Filter media clogging and mudballing, filtered water quality, short run times, channelling during backwash. 

Solutions:

Remove and replace filter media, condition and disinfect. 

Benefits:

Longer filter run times, improved filtered water quality, uniform backwash water distribution.   

Product:

Filter and to AWWA B100-01 specification plus gravel to support layers. 

Completion Date:

December 2008

Contact:

Mark Aitken - Aquatec Maxcon

Aquatec Maxcon provided all materials and labour for removal and replacement of the filter media to Module #1 and Module #2 filter banks (total 32 filter cells). The project comprised the following main elements:

• Isolation of filter bank and draining of filter cells.
• Dismantling of connecting pipework and clearing of top access to filter cells.
• Removal of existing filter media and gravel by use of vacuum sucker truck.
• Disposal of existing filter media and gravel.
• Flushing of existing filter floor channels and lateral system.
• Filter cell internal wall inspection and rendering works as required.
• Loading of new filter gravel support and filter sand layers.
• Rinsing, backwashing and surface scraping operations to condition the filter bed for service.
• Disinfection of filter bed according to AWWA C 653-03 guidelines.
• Return of filter cells to service and system commissioning.

Other related projects:

• Gympie WTP (2010) filter underdrain and media replacement
• Seqwater filter media replacement program for 10 water treatment plants (2009-2011)
• Coffs Harbour DAFF plant (2009) ,42 ML/d design capacity
• Kalkie WTP (2007) upgrade to dual media filtration, 200 L/s
• Ararat DAFF WTP Grampians Water (2000), 200 L/s
• Halls Gap DAFF WTP Grampians Water (2000), 45 L/s
• Corowa DAFF WTP Corowa Shire Council (2002), 200 L/s