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Community update October 2015
From January 2016, Sydney Water will trial a co-digestion process at the Cronulla Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The process will convert liquid food waste into renewable energy and will provide electricity to power the plant.
OverviewTo reduce energy use, Cronulla WWTP has a co-generation facility which converts methane (biogas) from collected waste into electricity. We use this electricity to power the plant, greatly reducing the electricity we need to purchase from the electricity grid.
In order to generate more biogas, we will trial turning liquid food waste (pulped fruit, vegetable waste and some beverage waste) into electricity using our existing cogeneration unit. We’ll collect the food waste from local businesses.
To prepare the plant for organic waste, we need to build a storage tank, dosing unit and pipes. Construction will take place within the WWTP boundary from now to December 2015.
The first deliveries of liquid food waste will start in January 2016 – we’ll use sealed storage trucks to transport the waste. This will mean an extra three to five truck deliveries every day. The trial will run for three years.
This trial will help us build our knowledge, capability and experience before we extend this type of co-digestion to other wastewater treatment plants. Our overall aim is to deliver customer, financial, environmental and community value.
What is co-digestion?Co-digestion is the process of mixing different types of organic waste in a large container called a digester. A process called anaerobic digestion breaks down the waste to produce methane. The methane is then used as fuel to produce electricity to power the plant and heat the digester.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
co-digestion trial
Cronulla
BenefitsThe trial will:
• reduce the amount of waste sent to land fill
• increase renewable energy generation at the plant
• boost the existing co-digestion electricity production allowing the plant to produce approximately 60% of its own energy needs.
Other news – plant maintenanceWe will be doing routine maintenance to the Cronulla WWTP’s odour control unit. This will take place from now to November 2015 and will include:
• replacing bio filter media (used in our odour control process)
• refurbishing the existing discharge ventilation ducting
• improving air flow distribution through the bio-filter.
We will complete an odour assessment to ensure we minimise any impacts to the local community.
Brightening up Cronulla WWTP We’re about to add some colour to the Cronulla WWTP with a number of murals to be painted on our buildings. The murals will reflect the ‘Cronulla Community’ and we would like your feedback on the design and themes for the artworks.
Please send your ideas on the design and theme of the mural to [email protected] by 16 October 2015. We’ll include pictures of the finished murals in future editions of this newsletter.
Tours of Cronulla WWTPDid you know we run community and school tours through the treatment plant? Tours are led by the plant manager or our experienced education officers. The tours are a great opportunity to learn about the different treatment processes and stages used at Cronulla WWTP, and to view the plant up close!
Educational tours include:
• a new program for Stage 5 Geography – issues in Australian Environments (land and water management), where students will tour the plant to learn about the urban water cycle, including the role government and individuals play in managing wastewater
• general excursions for Stage 6 Geography, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science and Senior Science – focusing on separation processes, protecting public health and the environment, and managing the urban water cycle.
Did you know? • We are conducting a similar co-digestion trial at Bondi WWTP, where we’re adding glycerol to the digesters.
• Once the trial starts, Cronulla WWTP will process 60,000 litres of liquid food waste per day.
• Cronulla WWTP will produce enough renewable energy to supply about 60% of its own energy needs.
To know more about the Cronulla Wastewater Treatment Plant contact our Community Relations team:email: [email protected]
For issues at or around the plant call 13 20 90 (24 hours 7 days)
For information about tours and open days: visit: sydneywater.com.au/tours email: [email protected]
For general Sydney Water enquiries call 13 20 92
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