New State-of-the-Art Water Treatment Plant Nears Completion in Clare

A state-of-the-art potable water treatment plant is nearing completion for the township of Clare, delivering a major upgrade to the region’s essential water infrastructure.

Located around 80 kilometres south-east of Townsville, Clare relies on water drawn from the Burdekin River. With the township’s ageing treatment plant reaching the end of its service life, a full replacement was commissioned to ensure a reliable, safe and modern drinking water supply for the community.

As part of the Clare Water Treatment Plant Renewal Project, Sunwater engaged contractors to supply, install and commission a new 400-kilolitre-per-day (kLD) drinking water treatment plant, incorporating advanced technology and increased capacity to meet current and future demand.

The new facility is currently undergoing installation and commissioning and uses a multi-stage treatment process to deliver water that meets potable standards. Raw water from the Burdekin River is first treated through Lamella Clarifiers before passing through AFM and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration. The water is then disinfected using ultraviolet treatment and chlorine dosing, before being stored and distributed to the township.

A fully integrated SCADA system allows the plant to be remotely monitored and controlled, improving operational efficiency and reliability while reducing the need for on-site intervention.

One of the plant’s standout features is its innovative electro-chlorination system, which produces low-strength sodium hypochlorite on demand. This eliminates the need to transport and bulk store liquid chemicals on site, improving safety while ensuring operators have a constant and reliable supply for disinfection.

Once operational, the new Clare drinking water treatment plant will provide the township with a secure, modern and sustainable water supply, supporting the community well into the future.

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A new water treatment plant will soon be unveiled in Clare. Photosource: Protex Water

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