Developments at Katherine's new PFAS water treatment plant are underway, with two newly constructed process tanks built and installed on site.
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Power and Water is implementing the construction of Australia's largest PFAS treatment plant, which will deliver 10ML of water per day to supplement Katherine's drinking water supply.
The $15 million project will be built to industrial specifications to cope with the harsh climatic conditions experienced in the Northern Territory.
Power and Water Senior Project Manager Liam Early said in conjunction with the new process tanks, more works were currently underway to continue the development of the plant.
"Earthworks are underway in preparation for the construction of the main building that will house the filter trains. The structural steel fabrication for the building is also in progress off-site," Mr Early said.
"The new bore pumps required for the new plant are being installed in readiness for connecting to the filters, which arrived from the USA last year."
With the development and construction of the plant delayed, the plant is anticipated to be operational "later this year".
US-headquartered Emerging Compounds Treatment Technologies has provided a pilot treatment plant that has been in operation in Katherine since October 2017, and are also providing technology for the new plant also.
"The pilot treatment plant continues to treat Katherine's groundwater, which makes up 10 per cent of the overall reticulated water supply," Mr Early said.
"While there have been some delays, Power and Water is committed to delivering this solution to the residents of Katherine, which assures confidence that Katherine's town water is safe to drink and will meet future demand, over a 30 year planning horizon."
Mr Early said while the new PFAS water treatment plant was being built it was essential to continue with water conservation measures to ensure water consumption is not greater than 10 million litres per day - the safe buffer for the existing treatment plant's capacity to supply PFAS free water.
"Katherine residents have become great water efficiency champions, demonstrating tremendous responsibility in valuing this precious resource - thank you for your patience and sharing this obligation," he said.
Current water restriction remain in place:
- ODD NUMBERED properties can only water three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6pm to 8am.
- EVEN NUMBERED properties can only water three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 6pm to 8am.
- No watering on Fridays.
- No watering of hard surfaces such as concrete or paved driveways, footpaths, street gutters and road areas.
For more information visit: www.powerwater.com.au/about/what-we-do/water-supply/katherine-water-supply
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
