We were engaged to design, supply, install and commission a new 370 m³/h wastewater treatment package for Baiada’s Oakburn facility in Tamworth, NSW. The system forms part of a broader staged upgrade of the site’s wastewater treatment infrastructure, providing improved primary treatment capacity while allowing for integration with future downstream treatment processes.
Wastewater received by the new plant initially undergoes chemical conditioning prior to Dissolved Air Flotation. The DAF separates suspended solids and other floatable contaminants from the wastewater, producing a clarified liquid stream, which is then pH corrected, before transferring to the downstream treatment system.
The DAF float is pumped to the screw press dewatering unit, where the sludge is mechanically dewatered. The dewatered sludge cake is then conveyed to the sludge storage bins for disposal.
The advanced control system accommodates the inclusion of different operating modes as the overall treatment facility develops, with interfaces incorporated for the future staged treatment infrastructure.
The design has continued to evolve with Baiada’s wider site development, including modifications to accommodate future advanced treatment connections and changes to the EQ tank and downstream treatment interfaces. The project documentation specifically records staged process development for each stage.
A key feature of the Baiada Oakburn project is that the plant has been designed around multiple treatment stages, rather than a single fixed operating condition, providing future expansion flexibility.
