Upgrade at Mount Martha Water Recycling Plant passes halfway mark
South East Water’s major upgrade at Mount Martha Water Recycling Plant has passed a key milestone towards delivering a more resilient and sustainable wastewater service for the Mornington Peninsula’s growing population.
South East Water’s industry partner, Beca, Fulton Hogan, and Interflow (BFHI), has completed the base slabs of the 2 new clarifier tanks that are being constructed to relieve capacity constraints in the secondary treatment system.
Clarifier tanks are large tanks or basins designed to remove solids from water by settling.
Once the clarifier upgrade is fully completed, the wastewater treatment plant will become more resilient to severe weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, which can put additional pressure on the plant.
With the population in Mount Martha, Mount Eliza, Mornington, Somerville, Baxter, and Pearcedale projected to increase by 49% by 2050, upgrades to the Mount Martha facility will ensure the continued reliability of essential services for both current and future customers.
South East Water General Manager Liveable Water Solutions, Charlie Littlefair, said upgrades were essential to meet the growing demands of the Mount Martha community and the surrounding areas, and to ensure the network continued to operate safely and reliably.
“By increasing the plant's capacity, we can reduce the risk of spills and protect local waterways,” Mr Littlefair said.
“We’re investing in infrastructure that supports one of Victoria’s fastest-growing communities while meeting the challenges of a growing population.”
The project is part of South East Water’s commitment to providing sustainable and reliable water and wastewater services to its customers, with a full program of upgrades at Mount Martha forming one of the utility’s 10 major projects outlined in its Price Submission 2023–28.
The clarifier upgrades are on track for completion by the end of 2026.
South East Water is investing $2.1 billion between 2023 and 2028 in capital projects to support population growth, climate adaptation, regulatory compliance and rising customer expectations.
This includes expanding its network with more than 14,700 km of water pipes, 1,500 km of recycled water pipes and 11,600 km of sewer pipes delivered in 2024–25.
For more information visit: Mount Martha Water Recycling Plant Secondary Clarifiers
Photo: Mount Martha Water Recycling Plant clarifier tank upgrade passes halfway mark
Media contact: media@sew.com.au