24 September 2010
New Werribee Aqueduct Completed
- $24 million aqueduct built
- Vital infrastructure for Melbourne’s growing population
- Project wins award for engineering and environmental excellence
The construction of a $24 million aqueduct to help transfer sewage from Melbourne to Werribee has been completed.
The old aqueduct, which takes waste water from Melbourne to the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee, was 50 years old and needed to be replaced.
Melbourne Water spokesman, Phil Corluka, said the covered aqueduct carries more than 50% of Melbourne’s sewage to the Western Treatment Plant and the upgrade would ensure it can meet increased flows as the city grows.
“It was a complex engineering challenge to connect the new aqueduct up to the existing sewer system without significantly impacting on the flow of sewage,” Mr Corluka said.
“The aqueduct, which is 5.4 metres in both height and width, took 18 months to construct.
“The aqueduct has also been designed for future use as a pedestrian bridge to help connect existing and planned shared paths, parks and residential developments in the area.
“Our Werribee Aqueduct project has won a Victorian civil engineering award recognising its construction excellence and environmentally conscious methods,” Mr Corluka said.
“The judges of the Civil Constructors Federation Earth Award commented on the project’s innovative construction techniques, sound project management, commitment to safety, and construction excellence,” he added.
“The project will now be judged against other state winners in the National Earth Awards for the civil construction industry to be held in Canberra next month.
The project was delivered by the Pipelines Alliance – a partnership between Melbourne Water, Fulton Hogan, Jaydo Construction, and GHD.
This project is part of a major five year program of works to improve Melbourne’s sewerage and drainage systems.
Work to demolish the old aqueduct would start soon and the area would also be revegetated.
A nearby heritage listed red brick aqueduct built in the 1890s would remain in place as an important part of Melbourne’s history.
Media Contact: Gavin Rainsford – 03 9235 1587 M – 0400 690 502