Reimagining our Water Future with an Australian-first Waste to Energy Project
During National Water Week, we are reimagining our water future including how our Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) can play more of a role in shaping a sustainable future.
In an Australian-first, Logan City Council has successfully turned human waste into energy and a marketable biochar product at its high-tech Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The successful trial uses sewage sludge (biosolids) baked in extreme temperatures to produce biogas, that is turned into biochar suitable for agricultural purposes. The community and environmental benefits are significant as the gasification process will reduce the volume of biosolids by 90 per cent, prevent organic pollutants from entering the soil, save Logan ratepayers around $500,000 annually in WWTP operating costs, and significantly reduce Council’s carbon footprint by 4,800 tonnes annually. Ultimately, the biochar could help local farmers to improve soil fertility.
The Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) contributed $6 million towards Logan City Council's $17 million Biosolids Gasification Project as part of its Advancing Renewables Program. WSP is proud to be part of the Logan Water Partnership delivering the facility with the Logan City Council.
Our team – including Cameron McDonald, Design Manager and Dean Baker, Lead Mechanical – have worked closely with the Process Engineers to deliver the design of the biosolids gasification trial facility at the Loganholme WWTP.
Dean Toomey, WSP’s Director of Water says, “Our team at the Logan Water Partnership is continuing to challenge the status quo and this pioneering project will deliver excellent outcomes to the communities today and for future generations.
Since 2009, WSP has proudly been part of the Logan Water Partnership alongside Downer and Cardno, delivering a sustainable water future for the City of Logan. The program has grown to more than $100 million a year and spanned three contracts (Logan Water Alliance from 2009 to 2015, Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance from 2015 to 2020 and the current Logan Water Partnership from 2020 until at least 2025).
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