Forrest Beach RV Park
Solution for treatment of wastewater at beachside tourism destination
PROJECT DETAILS
Location:
Forrest Beach, QLD
Product:
20kL Kubota MBBR
Capability:
Consult, design, and construct STP
True Water has installed a new system for the treatment of wastewater at the Forrest Beach RV Park, situated approximately 150 kilometres north of Townsville in Far North Queensland. This Hinchinbrook Shire Council initative provides low cost, short term stays for caravans and RVs during the peak season. Run by the Forrest Beach Progress Association, the facility is closed for seven months of the year and required a solution that can manage peak flows and periods of dormancy.
The caravan park site, which first opened in the 1970s, had defective original septic tanks. With the delivery of municipal sewage infrastructure several years away, the local council secured Queensland State Government funding to redevelop the 2.2-hectare site. The funding was used to provide an amenities block and a dedicated dump point. Council issued a tender for designing and constructing a new onsite sewage treatment plant and underground effluent disposal irrigation system.
True Water was selected to design and construct the onsite wastewater treatment solution. Our consultancy team specialises in providing solutions for sites with high environmental values and high community access and visibility. There is also potential for further development of other council facilities in the area, so it was important to provide a system that is scalable for increased future flows.
The compact and lightweight pumpwells being lifted into position.
Pumpwells will be used to help regulate the dispersal of treated wastewater.
The modular Kubota treatment systems are expertly installed below ground before being backfilled.
The modules are manufactured in Kubota's ISO certified facitility and delivered to site ready for efficient install.
The system components are installed underground for increased amenity.
Once the modules are installed and backfilled, the compound is finished for ease of maintenance.
Wastewater treatment system at Forrest Beach RV Park 12 months after installation.
The restrictions of the site in the coastal town required a site specific engineered solution for effluent dispersal.
Engineered mounds were constructed for dipsersal of the treated wastewater.
The effluent dispersal mounds are turfed for increased evapotranspiration.
Twelve months after installation the engineered dipsersal area provides the final stage of wastewater treatment.
The effluent dispersal area includes engineered mounds, surface spray irrigation and landscaping designed for increased evapotranspiration.
Innovative EDS design for effluent dispersal
True Water was engaged for its specialist sewage services. As part of our successful tender submission, our team designed and constructed a new onsite Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). In collaboration with the council, we developed a detailed Effluent Management Plan and Environmental Management Plan, which were required for Queensland State Government approval.
To move forward with the project, we worked closely with the council to acquire the ERA63 approval from the Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI). This was necessary to secure consent for all environmental permits and approvals. Following this, we successfully obtained an Environmental Authority (EA) due to the site’s proximity to critical marine ecosystems. This EA approval was essential, as the project involved activities listed as Environmental Relevant Activities (ERAs) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The EA outlined conditions and requirements to manage potential environmental impacts.
The tender specification initially required a 14,500m² effluent dispersal area (EDA) near the public foreshore. However, we proposed an alternative method and location. Our design included an advanced 650m² Engineered Dispersal System (EDS) across the road from the foreshore, behind a row of houses (see image to the right). The council found this reduced EDA footprint highly favourable, as it eliminated the need for effluent dispersal in a public space, improved ease of access for maintenance, and provided operational cost savings.
Scalable Kubota WTTP for peak hydraulic loads
Due to the wet season in Far North Queensland, the system only needed to operate at full capacity for five to six months a year. However, the development, including a new amenities building, required a system that could manage fluctuating hydraulic load during peak times. Therefore, we calculated a design flow of up to 14,500L/day and proposed a 15kL Kubota Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) WTTP. The key feature of this design was system scalability to future-proof upgrades.
We manufactured our STP and components to precise ISO-certification and design specifications, guaranteeing strong performance-specific warranties. Comprehensive manufacturing, assembly, and testing of the WTTP before delivery allowed fast and efficient installation. This included connecting twin treatment tanks, a primary buffer tank, a 3kL FRP treated water lift well, 75kL above-ground poly tanks, irrigation pumps, and Telemi remote monitoring hardware.
True Water managed all safety, civil, and construction activities. The moving of the EDA required horizontal directional drilling. This process involved boring 33 metres and six metres deep beneath the road surface to install conduit, providing a supply transfer line from the wet weather storage pump set to the EDA.
Efficient and reliable wastewater treatment
True Water’s specialist sewage services detailed how to meet the project’s current and future wastewater requirements. Due to the various physical and environmental constraints of the site, our EDS design provided the only viable option that allowed for wastewater dispersal to meet state environmental legislation. We supplied the client with a commissioning certificate before they received the “Approval to Operate.” This involved submitting essential certification documents, an owner’s manual, constructed drawings, and warranty.
The site now benefits from an efficient system that offers advanced wastewater treatment. Key advantages of our innovative technology include simple operation, low costs, compact footprint, and high reliability. This system also has no visual impact or odour, providing unmatched reliability and significantly reducing both capital and operating costs.
Handover included our team providing basic training to onsite operators. Additionally, we installed TELEmi remote monitoring software and an alarm system. This technology includes fault notifications, daily flow metering, and automatic data logging. Our technicians also implemented an asset management strategy, covering effluent and water testing, as well as quarterly servicing.
