Trial for biolsolids project

By Hamish Heard
Barwon Water will begin drying recycled sewage sludge at a trial facility next week ahead of building a $30 million plant at Black Rock.
The authority’s chief executive, Dennis Brocken-shire, yesterday said the pilot plant would help Barwon Water determine the best technology to dry leftovers from the recycling process, called biosolids.
Biosolids are a by-product of the sewage treatment process that, once dried, can be used as a combustible fuel, fertiliser or soil conditioner.
The Black Rock project is running behind schedule after Barwon Water initially announced the successful tenderer to run plant would be named in the middle of last year.
“The biosolids drying plant is a major investment in the region and Barwon Water believed it important to test the preferred technology and verify it meets all environmental and regulatory requirements before contracts are signed.”
“The trial will also be used to verify the quality of the biosolids final product,” Mr Brockenshire said.
The pilot trial will commence operation in March at a site in Melbourne and results are expected in late May.