CONISTON BEACH OUTFALL

Click the photograph for a enlarged view

Future Developments

A proposal by Sydney Water Corporation (Patterson, Britton & Partners, CEE & AWT 1998) to consolidate sewage treatment from Bellambi, Wollongong and Port Kembla treatment plants to the Wollongong STP and to maximize future reuse of effluent has been proposed in the following way:

1. All sewage flows in dry weather from the Bellambi and Port Kembla catchments would be transferred to the Wollongong STP for treatment.

2. The treatment capacity of the Wollongong STP would be augmented, maintaining the existing secondary level of treatment, but introducing a nitrogen removal process for part of the flow.

3. The existing chlorination system would be replaced by a new UV disinfection system.

4. The existing 220m long outfall would be replaced by a 1,000m long outfall, along with a deep water diffuser.

5. New pumping stations and transfer pipelines would be constructed to transfer sewage from Bellambi and Port Kembla catchments for treatment at Wollongong STP.

6. The existing Wollongong STP would be augmented to handle the additional flow from the Bellambi and Port Kembla catchments, plus additional flow due to urban growth in the three catchments (Bellambi, Wollongong and Port Kembla).

7. The Bellambi and Port Kembla plants would be retained for use only at times of prolonged wet weather when it becomes infeasible to transfer all of the sewage to Wollongong. On those days, excess flows would be stored in the existing tanks at Bellambi and Port Kembla STPs.

8. If the storage was exceeded, the excess flows would be screened, settled, disinfected and discharged to the ocean via the existing shoreline outfalls at Bellambi and Port Kembla.

Outfall Site

Diffuser Port

Outfall Site

Coniston Beach

(Coni_4) Last updated May 2000