Australia Opens New Water Recycling Plant

A new multi-million dollar wastewater treatment plant was opened on Magnetic Island in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

The Horseshoe Bay plant cost $9.5 million and is the first step in the council’s plan to recycle 90 percent of the city’s wastewater by 2010.

The Townsville Bulletin reported that approximately $100 million will be spent on upgrading the city’s wastewater plants. This could make Townsville the nation’s regional leader in water recycling.

The new facility, in conjunction with the Picnic Bay facility, could preserve 250 megaliters of fresh drinking water on a yearly basis. It will produce an average of 700 kiloliters of recycled water a day. This water will irrigate the Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club and a new rainforest park.

A dedicated supply of recycled water will also be linked to the Horseshoe Bay Rural Fire Brigade.

According to the Townsville Bulletin, the next project will be to rebuild Cleveland Bay, the city’s largest treatment plant.

Source: The Townsville Bulletin