1.2 SEWERAGE
What we do
We manage the complete sewerage ( wastewater ) service for 6 communities – collecting , transferring and treating wastewater from the collection point of the property , via underground mains to a central location in each town , and then treating it to the Queensland Government ’ s strict environmental requirements ( Environmental Authority ).
In Roma , Mitchell , Injune and Surat , the waste received is initially screened to remove debris and foreign matter .
Filtered effluent is then passed to Imhoff tanks ( equivalent to advanced septic tanks ). These tanks allow for the majority of solids to be removed in the form of sludge which is drained to drying beds before being disposed of onsite ( buried ).
The waste then continues through the process , passing through to primary lagoons where biological processes ( microbes ) break down additional contaminants within the waste .
The waste then continues to final lagoons where it passes through rock acting as a filter ( in Surat and Roma ) before being treated with chlorine and continuing onto re-use sites .
In the other towns , due to lower effluent volumes , waste is disposed of via evaporation .
Microbial processes are assisted by additional aeration provided by aerators installed in the primary lagoons in Roma .
In addition to household wastewater , wastewater is also received from commercial and industrial premises including trade waste and water that has been through wash-down systems and caravan dump points .
Each year , we undertake works to :
• Operate and maintain sewerage infrastructure ;
• Upgrade and construct new infrastructure to cater for growth in our regions population , and for new or changing needs of our communities ;
• Undertake scheduled renewal works to ensure the infrastructure keeps providing the required level of service .
Why we do it
A network of sewer mains and centralised treatment facilities at 6 of our towns provides for efficient handling of wastewater .
What we must do
Queensland Government Environmental Authority ( Department of Environment and Science ) Planning Guidelines for Water Supply and Sewerage Local Instruments and other References Maranoa Planning Scheme Trade Waste Policy Asset Management Policy Asset Management Plan - Sewerage Customer Service Standards
Capricorn Municipal Development Guidelines ( CMDG )
Whilst not compliance documents , the Sewerage Asset Management Plan draws on the following documents prepared by Widebay Water :
• Roma Sewage Treatment Plant Status Report
• Roma Sewage Treatment Plant Planning Report
• Maranoa Regional Urban Water Management Report
• Maranoa Sewage Treatment Plants Strategy Report .
Our plans for 2021 / 22
Did you know
If Maranoa ’ s wastewater ( sewer ) mains were laid out end to end , they would extend about the same distance as travelling from Roma to Mitchell and half way back !
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Roma ’ s Sewage Pump Station . 23