Nepean College
Advanced wastewater treatment system for college located on biodiversity value-zoned land
PROJECT DETAILS
Location:
Mulgoa, NSW
Product:
Kubota MBBR to engineered dispersal system
Capability:
Design, construct, and install WWTS
True Water recently finalised delivery of a Kubota advanced wastewater treatment system for the Nepean Christian School. The treatment system manages all onsite sewage and wastewater generated by the college. The school serves more than 600 students and staff, with approval for up to 860. Recently, it applied for a Development Approval to construct an early learning centre for 60 children and eight staff. The expansion required upgrading the colleges sewage treatment system.
The school selected True Water due to our experience in wastewater treatment industry and ability to manage challenging sites. The new Kubota system will efficiently manage the increased wastewater loaded generated by the expansion of the college. And will maintain the highest treatment standards protecting both public health and environment.
The school is in Mulgoa, New South Wales, at the base of the Blue Mountains, near the Nepean River. People recognise the region for its natural beauty and ecological significance. It has been designated as biodiversity value-zoned land, which means it has been officially acknowledged for its significant ecological importance.
True Water decommissioned most of the old failing system and reused several concrete tanks to reduce capital cost.
The Kubota advanced wastewater treatment system is craned into location by True Waters specialist install team.
True Water's system design allows for additional modules to meet future demand.
Nepean's advanced secondary wastewater treatment system is odourless.
We provide whole-of-life asset management for the school's advanced secondary wastewater treatment system.
The Kubota MBBR's compact footprint was crucial. The Kubota's small size allowed us to integrate plant into the existing STP compound and reuse existing concrete tanks.
Advanced secondary wastewater treatment system
We proposed installing a Kubota advanced Wastewater Treatment System. The school’s lack of onsite accommodation and commercial outlets means most wastewater is generated from toilet use. Therefore, we recommended a 10kL/d Kubota Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
The existing system, which comprises eight tanks, had undergone several expansions but was not treating sewage. The Kubota MBBR’s compact footprint was crucial, as it allowed us to integrate the new tank into the existing sewage treatment plant compound. This was especially important since no changes could be made within the biodiversity value-zoned land.
True Water decommissioned most tanks and repurposed several others. This involved converting tanks into an equalisation tank and another into a solid separation liquid tank. These tanks pump sewage into the Kubota advanced Wastewater Treatment System, which then gravity-feeds the treated water into a 100kL wet weather holding tank.
Design of advanced engineered dispersal system
The onsite assessment identified that the construction of the existing Absorption (ETA) beds used incorrect materials. Rock-like lumps resembling slag had caused ponding issues, and poorly treated effluent had leached away from the beds. This posed a potential threat to nearby water bodies. True Water addressed this by proposing a new Effluent Dispersal System (EDS) that utilised both spray irrigation and a highly refined mound design.
True Water has installed multiple hundred engineered mounds. By coupling mounds and irrigation, we were able to ensure the EDS had the smallest possible footprint. This ensured the highest quality effluent treatment and safe dispersal. It also prevented any possible impact to the biodiversity value-zoned land surrounding the system.
As required by the conditions of the council approval, lime and gypsum were added to improve soils. Civil works were completed to maximise infiltration, prevent waterlogging, redirect runoff, and prevent erosion. True Water’s project team coordinated all contractors and ensured all works were completed to the highest standard. The new Kubota advanced Wastewater Treatment System ensures ongoing compliance with council conditions and environmental best practice.
Swift installation of advanced secondary system
The onsite works were completed quickly. We manufacture and quality-assure all components in our factory. Once palletised and prepared for system delivery, the components were transported to site. The installation of the Kubota STP, CONNECTmi Controller, and other system components was scheduled to take place over a week. Since all parts are manufactured and assembled under our ISO:14001 and ISO:9001 certifications, installers are assured of consistent quality and uniformity.
The scalability of the Kubota system allows for easy expansion if the college grows in the future, effectively futureproofing the infrastructure against changes in demand. True Water submitted a commissioning certificate to Penrith City Council for the Onsite Sewage Management System and received approval to operate. This process included submitting all necessary certifications, such as warranty implementation, the owner’s manual, and constructed drawings, to ensure smooth and compliant operations.
We continue to provide comprehensive, whole-of-life asset management for the school’s advanced secondary Wastewater Treatment System. In partnership with TELEmi, we offer remote asset telemetry monitoring. This innovative software oversees a combined capacity of six million litres of wastewater treatment per day across Australia and the Pacific. By leveraging the SWARM and Starlink satellite networks, TELEmi delivers reliable, 24-hour monitoring of system operations.