Key duo man $15 million plant that has huge potential

WEDCO’s water reclamation facility takes in around 40,000 gallons of sewage a day — but has the potential to handle much more.

The facility was built in 2009 and cost $15.1 million to build.

It is manned by a two-strong team of plant manager, Adam Diel, and laboratory manager, Mark Osborne.

The pair oversee the various chemical processes on a centralized computer system and conduct tests on the end water product to ensure it satisfies internationally accepted guidelines.

Upon arrival the sewage is screened to remove heavier debris, which is crushed and dried to create a crumbly waste byproduct.

For every 40,000 gallons of sewage that is treated just a third of a trashcan of this ‘trashable’ waste substance is created.

The remaining muddy-coloured liquid is then sent through a series of processing tanks, where bacteria is broken down before being subjected to disinfection and ultra-violet procedures.

The reclaimed water then undergoes a series of purity tests that Mr Osborne conducts in his laboratory..

He said: “The water we get at the end has surpassed the level expected for potable water, although it is obviously not used as drinking water.

“It just goes to show how effective the machinery and the processes are in this facility.”

Mr Diel added: “It’s important to remember that 99.9 per cent of sewage is just water, sometimes people don’t realize this.

“This plant is capable of processing up to 250,000 gallons per day, so there is considerable growth capacity and potential.” n