Clyde Creek Pump Station Upgrade

In 2014, South East Water built a sewer pump station at Clyde Creek (off Merribrook Boulevard) to service new developments in the area. As development in the Casey Clyde area is rapidly expanding, we need to upgrade the pump station to manage flows and odour in the network. A number of upgrades are required to the existing site including underground storage detention tanks and an odour dosing facility. To do nothing at this site would lead to noticeable odour from the pump station for local residents.

In the long term we intend to decommission this pump station, once a major pump station at Ballarto Road is constructed. This is likely to occur during our next water plan period between 2023 - 2028.

A pump station is a necessary piece of infrastructure on a sewerage network. It transfers wastewater from low lying areas to higher ones within the network, so that it can ultimately continue its journey to the Water Recycling Plant.

The current pump station at Clyde Creek is mostly situated underground in large pits, with access through ground level concrete manholes. There is also an an electrical cabinet which houses all the circuitry required to operate the pump station.

To control odour and manage decomposition, additional treatment is required for the increase in the volume of wastewater. This requires the installation of:

A new chemical dosing plant and underground injection point. The dosing plant will be housed within a Colorbond style structure. This new infrastructure will treat the sewage to mitigate the effects of odour at our pump stations and other assets.

An odour control facility and vent stack. These will ensure that the sewer gases exiting from the sewerage system via the pump station are cleaned prior to release into the atmosphere. This section of infrastructure is necessary to mitigate odours locally at the site and improve air quality arising from the system. It is also to provide a safe working space for maintenance teams entering and operating the plant and equipment.

Underground storage. To manage increasing flows in the sewerage network, underground detention storage tanks are required. These will provide emergency storage buffers.  

Visual amenity

Residents facing the pump station will notice new above ground infrastructure. The building housing the chemical dosing plant detailed will be constucted out of materials to ensure it's more in keeping with the surrounding area. The vent stack, will be extended in height up to 12 metres and again will be painted to blend in with the surrounding area.

It is our intention to fence the entire pump station to ensure safety. We will consult with local residents, the developer and Council on the type of fencing to be installed to ensure it is in keeping with the surrounding area and minimize the visual impact of the infrastructure.

Note: We are currently investigating the location of underground services surrounding the pump station to ensure we can install a fence. The current fence sits above vital infrastructure and needs to be moved. We'll keep you updated as to its new location once this has been determined.

Noise

No noticeable increase in noise will be evident from the pump station upon completion of the upgrade. As the main operating section of the pump station remains underground in a pit, the soil around it provides noise suppression. It is not anticipated that the new dosing and odour control equipment will increase current noise levels. The upgraded pump station is designed to meet the noise level limits set by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Odour

It is not anticipated that any noticeable odour will be detected from the upgraded pump station. The odour control facility being installed as part of the upgrade will treat and disperse sewer gases into the atmosphere to mitigate odour.

Materials and substances required for the operation of this pump station are anticipated to be delivered once or twice a month.

South East Water has to comply with regulations from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), the Department of Health and other Government agencies to ensure all of its assets and infrasturcture meet legal and statutory requriements in regards to public saftey and to ensure the health and wellbeing of operators and maintenance staff. It is our intention for a fence to surround the pump station to restrict access to only South East Water personnel.

During construction, sections of the walkng path may need to be closed. We'll keep you informed of any closures. The upgraded infrastructure will be within South East Water's site with no long term impacts to the walking path.

Once construction on the upgrade to the pump station is complete, South East Water will reinstate any impacted areas as close as possible to their original condition. A fence will be installed around the upgraded pump station to assist with the visual amenity for local residents and secure the site. Note, a section of the fence adjacent to the bund needs to be see through for the safety of operators and delivery drivers to the site.

Construction is anticipated to commence in August 2020 and weather permitting last for 12 to 14 weeks. We'll get in touch to advise when consruction will commence once we have a confirmed date.

Normal construction hours are between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday (weather permitting), however occasionally we may need to work outside of these hours for safety or technical reasons. Our contractors will keep the community informed of any work to be undertaken outside of normal construction hours. 

During construction you may notice:

• Construction crews in the area between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday (weather permitting) - Increased truck movements
• Temporary site office and storage areas
• Traffic impacts around the work area.