Mount Barker approves $9.5m upgrade of state’s largest council-run wastewater treatment plant

As the population in the hills grows, so does the amount of stuff that gets flushed down the toilets. Now, Mount Barker Council has a $9.5 million solution to that problem.

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The state’s largest council-operated wastewater treatment plant in Mount Barker is poised for a $9.5 million upgrade.

Mount Barker District Council this week approved funding for the multimillion-dollar facility on Springs Rd, which services the townships of Mount Barker, Littlehampton, Nairne and Brukunga.

The upgrade had been deemed a “high priority” after a report found the ageing facility was struggling to keep up with wastewater demand.

According to council records, the plant was built to treat 3200KL of effluent daily, but demand was expected to rise up to 5400KL per day in 2020.

That number was expected to double again over the next 16 years.

According to demographic resource centre .id, Mount Barker’s population will reach 56,710 by 2036 – up 51.3 per cent.

Mayor Ann Ferguson said the upgrade was needed to help cater for the region’s growing wastewater needs.

“This next upgrade is necessary to see the facility adequately treat the increasing volume of wastewater and to annually provide in excess of 1000 million litres of recycled water to surrounding business, local parks and gardens,” she said.

“As demand for wastewater services continues to grow, our treatment facility is nearing capacity and is no longer efficient.

“This upgrade will address the community’s concern for the local environment by producing better-quality recycled water.”

Works will be completed over the next two to three years and will include the replacement and expansion of microfiltration, process changes to reduce ammonia levels, and draining of the eastern lagoon.

Mount Barker’s population is growing rapidly.

Ms Ferguson said the council had considered a number of upgrade options, including the ongoing management of the Laratinga Wetland.

The nature reserve was built in 1999 to help further filter treated water to allow for re-use in local parks and gardens.

“Council knows how important Laratinga Wetland is to our community and is committed to maintaining this vital asset into the future,” Ms Ferguson said.

She said the upgrade of the treatment plant would have wider benefits.

“The upgrades will improve the quality of the council’s recycled water … which will understandably have a positive impact on our local environment as well as supporting future productive re-use opportunities for the water, thereby growing our economy,” she said.