Plenary's biosolids facility recognised for sustainable water management

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA – Plenary Environment’s Barwon Water Biosolids Management Project has won the Sustainable Water Management category at the 2014 Banksia Sustainability Awards.

The award recognises “leadership and innovation in assuring continued environment and community access to quality freshwater resources and vibrant marine environments”.

The Project, which is located just outside of Geelong, was delivered as a public-private partnership, developed and financed by Plenary Environment for Barwon Water.  It was designed, built and is now operated by Water Infrastructure Group.

The $77 million fully-enclosed thermal drying facility is located adjacent to Barwon Water’s Black Rock water reclamation plant, and converts biosolids – a by-product of the sewage treatment process – into nutrient-rich farm fertiliser. The pellets are safe to handle, easy to transport and can be reused as a soil conditioner immediately after processing.

Plenary Group Chief Operating Officer, Glenn Hay, was pleased to see the Project recognised for its contribution to environmental sustainability.

“Plenary Group is proud to have played a lead role in the delivery of this significant project for Victoria, which provides a model for sustainable biosolids management in Australia,” said Mr Hay.

The plant can treat 60,000 tonnes of biosolids a year from the Black Rock water reclamation plant and several other smaller regional plants operated by Barwon Water.

It is the first of its kind in Australia and the largest of its type in the southern hemisphere.

Since commencing operation in 2012, the plant has resulted in 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and cut heavy truck movements by 1,000 a year.

It’s co-location with the Black Rock water reclamation plant enables the facility to use recycled water from the reclamation plant for cooling purposes, reducing potable mains water use by up to 1,825 mega litres per annum.

The Banksia Foundation is a well-established not-for-profit organisation dedicated to working with industry and community to focus attention on environmental excellence and sustainability.

The award follows the facility’s recent success at the 2014 Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards where it was awarded the prize for Environmental Protection.

Image (L-R): Peter Everest (Water Infrastructure Group) Joe Adamski (Barwon Water) and Carl Retschko (Plenary Group).

Executive Director, Communications
+61 3 8888 7754
+61 418 530 806
chris.whitefield@plenary.com