With only a couple of months before the opening of the 2024 ski season the Charlottes Pass Resort suffered a nightmare scenario, their sewage treatment facility was almost totally destroyed in a fire, effectively closing the field to potential visitors.
We were contacted to evaluate if it was possible to design, manufacture, install and commission a new treatment system within a very short 6-week window.
With swift action and careful planning, we rose to this extremely difficult challenge, providing a completely costed design within a few days, with the manufacture plant completed and tested in less than a month, and site works, and installation completed in advance of the season opening. Further, we were able to integration our new system into the salvageable tank portion of the original damaged STP, saving time and cost.
Packaged across three air-conditioned and fully insulated 20ft containers, the system was designed in a stacked format for minimal footprint; with 2 containers at the base and 1 container positioned traverse on the top with access ladders to the upper-level platforms.
The new plant included inlet screening, aeration blowers, decanter systems, media filtration, high output UV disinfection and chlorination, along with a chemical dosing system to control and sustain biomass growth. The system was controlled via a Schneider PLC and electronics designed to adapt to both new and existing equipment. Due to the Alpine location, the system featured heat pumps with R290 refrigerant, and heat exchangers to ensure stable influent temperatures.
Delivery and installation took place under difficult fresh snow fall conditions, making commissioning a challenge, regardless we had the system fully operational, and exceeding discharge quality requirements, allowing Charlottes Pass Resort to be open in time for the busy school holiday season opening.
