CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AT THE EASTERN TREATMENT PLANT
17 November, 2005
Melbourne Water's Eastern Treatment Plant played host to nearly 80 people from Melbourne's Croatian, Arabic and Turkish communities on Sunday in the second of two open days specifically organised for multicultural communities.
With the aid of interpreters, visitors gained a better understanding of the sewerage system and the impact that things like oil and cotton buds can have on the treatment process, water recycling, renewable energy and the important role the Eastern Treatment Plant plays as a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife.
Melbourne Water Managing Director Rob Skinner said that the tour was a great opportunity for multicultural communities to gain a better understanding of this remarkable community asset.
"Many Melburnians are simply unaware of the size of the Eastern Treatment Plant and the important role it plays in treating about 40% of Melbourne's sewage - about 370 million litres a day," he said.
"Melbourne Water is also delivering about 5000 million litres of Class A recycled water each year to the Cranbourne-Five Ways area as part of the Eastern Irrigation Scheme, from the Plant.
"It is very important for us to be able to showcase these activities in a way that is accessible to the multicultural community and can improve their understanding of the impacts of things like pouring used kitchen oil down the sink," Mr Skinner said.
Melbourne Water conducts open days for the general community annually at the Western and Eastern treatment plants. Both facilities are also popular with school, scientific and interest groups such as bird watchers.
For tour information visit www.melbournewater.com.au/education.
Invitations to Sunday's tour were advertised across Melbourne's multicultural media.