The development being proposed around the Mullumbimby area raises questions as to whether the sewerage infrastructure can cope.
When Brunswick Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant (BVWWTP) was commissioned in 2011 its capacity was configured on a daily average dry weather flow (ADWF) of 1.300.00 kl/day.
The plant is reportedly capable of treating seven times ADWF.
The flows shown on the public data council website on the inflows into BVWWTP are varied but flows between 8,877.40 kl/day or 5,004.00 kl/day are visible on occasions. Flows increase significantly during rain events.
The question is with the amount of development being proposed by Byron Shire Council has the ADWF figure been recalibrated since 2011?
These biological reduction plants’ performances are adversely affected by exceeding their hydraulic designed load, which you would think the amount of development being proposed will do.
The answer by Council will be to build another treatment plant, ignoring the issue of a sewer gravity mains system throughout the Mullumbimby CBD built in 1963 which has an effective functioning life expectancy of approximately 23 years (this is the opinion of competent design engineers that anyone can read).
The gravity mains will continue to deterioate which will allow outside water in during rain and raw sewage out during dry periods.
The elected council should ask: has the ADWF figure used in 2011 been recalibrated to meet the current inflow and the expected increases in inflow which will be generated by proposed development?
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