Background
Mount Keira, part of the Illawarra escarpment, stands at 464 meters high and is adorned with sclerophyll and rainforest vegetation. The Lookout at Mount Keira offers sweeping views of Wollongong, attracting numerous visitors annually. Community consultation revealed the need for a kiosk to provide refreshments to locals and tourists. However, the remote location lacked access to a potable water supply, presenting a significant challenge.
Objectives
The primary objective was to design and install a potable water treatment plant to supply safe drinking water for the new kiosk at Mount Keira Lookout. The plant needed to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) for both health and aesthetic quality, ensuring visitors could safely enjoy refreshments at the lookout.
Challenges
Several challenges were faced in this project:
- Remote Location – The site’s remoteness made it difficult to access a potable water supply.
- Water Quality – The treatment plant had to adapt to the specific water quality of the natural source, which could vary in temperature, turbidity, and mineral content.
- Tight Timeline – The construction program was tight, requiring efficient resource management to complete the project within eight weeks.
Solution
To address these challenges, our team designed a comprehensive water treatment plant using a multi-barrier approach. Key components included:
- Screen Pre-Filter – A JUDO pressure differential-controlled screen filter to remove coarse suspended solids and protect the UF filters.
- Ultrafiltration (UF) – This stage removed solids as small as 0.01 micron, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, ensuring microbiological safety.
- Chlorine Dosing – Sodium hypochlorite dosing for microbiological disinfection, with a recirculation system to maintain a chlorine residual throughout the network.
- Polishing Filters and UV Disinfection – Absolute rated filter cartridges and UV disinfection provided final barriers to inactivate protozoa and ensure the treated water met ADWG standards.
The entire plant, including interconnecting pipework, valving, and wiring, was housed in a shipping container to minimize site disturbance. Major plant items were skid-mounted and delivered to the site as complete packages to expedite the construction process.
Outcome
The water treatment plant was successfully built, installed, and commissioned within the tight eight-week timeframe. The system now provides safe, potable water to the kiosk, enhancing the visitor experience at Mount Keira Lookout.
In Summary
The Mount Keira Lookout Kiosk project demonstrates the effectiveness of a well-designed potable water treatment solution in a remote location. By employing a multi-barrier approach and efficient construction methods, we were able to provide a reliable water supply that meets stringent health and aesthetic standards.
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Southland Filtration is a leading Australian provider of commercial water filtration solutions. We’ve been helping businesses since 1995 with a focus on quality, custom solutions, and reliable service. We work with businesses and organisations in Australia and New Zealand to address their unique water challenges and maintain the highest standards.