The old sewage effluent treatment plant needed to be upgraded, in order to comply with new EPA standards for discharge to a local watercourse. The plant serves a rural town in Queensland with the capacity to dispose of 600 000L of sewage effluent per day.
Following extensive research, evaluation and costing, the Boonah Council accepted a Vetiver System Phytoremediation solution. Veticon Consulting designed 3 blocks of Vetiver, planted in hedgerows on contour lines, with a surface flow irrigation system. The irrigation system was designed for the effluent to flow down the slope, spreading out along the Vetiver rows.
This 4-hectare site has successfully treated 600KL of effluent per day over the past 5 years, and has the capacity to treat more. The Vetiver System solution was the most effective, low cost and environmentally friendly option.