Boneo Water Recycling Plant Upgrade

In 2015, South East Water completed the Peninsula ECO project to allow more than 16,000 properties between Rye and Portsea to connect to the sewerage network. As a result of the number of properties connecting to sewer in these areas, the Boneo WRP was nearing its capacity.

This is a major upgrade of the Boneo WRP and consisted of a range of infrastructure being installed, including a biogas treatment and co-generation facility, a dewatering building, several anaerobic digesters, settling and mixing tanks as well as a new administration building. 

Visual amenity

Residents will notice some new above ground infrastructure as a result of the upgrade to the WRP. Several new buildings, housing various infrastructure components of the upgrade, will range up to 11 metres in height. A range of other equipment  was installed and may be noticeable to some neighbours.

South East Water has undertaken additional planting at the water recycling plant to minimise the amount of infrastructure visible to the local community. Upon completion of the upgrade, South East Water will re-evaluate the impact of the visual amenity of the WRP on neighbours and may undertake further planting if required.

Noise

The upgraded WRP is designed to meet the noise level limits set by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). No noticeable increase in noise will be evident.

Odour

The upgrade includes new odour control equipment designed to meet odour limits set by the EPA. It is not anticipated that any noticeable odour will be detected from the upgraded WRP.

John Holland Suez Beca Joint Venture (JHSB) signed a contract with South East Water in September 2018 to design and construct the upgrade to the Boneo WRP.

They will also continue to operate and maintain it for ten years, with the potential for a five year extension.

The Emergency Storage Lagoon (ESL) was upgraded by our industry partner Beca, Fulton Hogan, Interflow Joint Venture (BFHI).

Three companies - John Holland (construction), SUEZ (sewage treatment technology and operations) and BECA (design) - form the successful partnership who deliver works for South East Water's Boneo Water Recycling Plant upgrade. JHSB JV will operate the plant (under South East Water's licence), while constructing new and upgrading existing assets. Now the upgrade is complete, JHSB JV will continue to operate the plant for 10 years.

The upgrade to the plant will be completed within the existing site at Limestone Road.

South East Water has to comply with regulations from the EPA, the Department of Health and other government agencies to ensure that all of its assets and infrastructure meet legal and statutory requirements in regards to public safety and to ensure the health and wellbeing of operators and maintenance staff.

In October 2018, an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) works Approval was received for this project to be undertaken which assessed a number of environmental considerations. In addition an Environmental Impact Assessment has been undertaken for this project. All areas of high environmental importance or sensitivity within the project area have been taken into consideration. Various options have been looked at during the design of this project and a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been created and implemented.

Regular environmental monitoring and auditing will be undertaken during construction to ensure the EMP is being adhered to. This will include methods to minimise the amount of vegetation removal to protect the local flora and fauna.