Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has begun the process of undertaking a substantial upgrade of the Mount Kynoch Water Treatment Plant to help improve water security and service reliability.
TRC Water and Waste Committee Chair Cr Rebecca Vonhoff said Council had awarded a contract to Fulton Hogan Utilities Pty Ltd to complete the upgrade after an extensive tendering phase.
"Built almost 50 years ago, the water treatment plant is ageing infrastructure that needs work to ensure reliability of service and redundancy in the event of a system failure," Cr Vonhoff said.
"We also know the treatment plant is almost running at peak capacity so it's crucial we begin an immediate upgrade to ensure Council can continue to service the water supply needs of the community as we continue to grow our region."
The Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant sources water from Cooby Dam, Cressbrook Dam and Perseverance Dam. To ensure continuous supply of raw water into the treatment plant, Council must provide a reliable network of pipes, pumps and valves.
In addition to upgrading existing infrastructure, Council is undertaking the design of a new duplicate main that will include a new valve house and delivery main.
The trunk raw water lines from Cressbrook and Perseverance dams interconnect prior to the treatment plant inlet at the valve house within the Mt Kynoch Park.
There is currently only one incoming main from the valve house into the treatment plant, transporting combined Perseverance and Cressbrook raw water so this needs to be addressed.
The enhancement works provides improved reliability of incoming water to the plant, with the option of two mains.
Cr Vonhoff said Council will invest close to $28 million at Mt Kynoch over the next three financial years.
"This is a major investment to provide residents with a safe and reliable drinking water supply and is essential for the future growth of the Toowoomba Region," she said.
The project is currently scheduled for completion in late 2023.
