Comments on: Where does Geelong’s sewage go?

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 01:11:09 +0000

In reply to Zoran. Glad you like my work - and thanks for the updated link.

By: Zoran

Zoran — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 10:52:33 +0000

The above link to the Barwon Water PDF is no longer valid. I have tracked down a working link.

https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/6259/Living-By-Water_-a-history-of-Barwon-Water-and-its-predecessors.pdf

Great site by the way! Keep up the good work!

By: How did the horse cross the road? - Waking up in Geelong

How did the horse cross the road? - Waking up in Geelong — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 20:32:33 +0000

[…] The path between the stables and the racetrack is located atop Geelong’s main outfall sewer. […]

By: Gabby

Gabby — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 03:31:51 +0000

I lived in Breamlea from 1979 to 1990 and frequently wandered along the coast from Bancoora, up over the sand dunes, along the coast a bit more to 13th Beach and back. The communitor and vent shaft (either/both) emitted a strong stench and this was so offputting as to urge one to turn back once over the sand dunes walking east from Bancoora. During the mid-1980s construction of the treatment plant brought in huge numbers of machinery, noise, dust and stink. Friends living near us in Breamlea complained bitterly of ear and nose infections from surfing at and near Black Rock, despite the fact the location has never been all that favourable for surfing (or swimming!). It is very favourable for photography though in the right conditions.

Examples of the “purple taps” serving up “Chateau Wee” (motto: “fresh daily!”) can be found abundantly along the roadside on Horseshoe Bend Road and around Charlemont Estate. I don’t think everybody living on those estates is clued up on just where their tap water is coming from. Don’t tell anybody!! 😉

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 01:46:13 +0000

In reply to Paul Westcott. I should know the difference, so it serves me right for putting blind faith in my spellchecker. :-)

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 01:35:27 +0000

In reply to Rohan Storey.

My photo of the ‘purple pipe’ system is actually from the ‘Lakeside’ estate in Pakenham.

Unfortunately finding a complete listing of areas with third pipe systems is difficult – it is broken down by water retailer.

http://southeastwater.com.au/SiteCollectionImages/LearnAboutWater/TypesOfWater/OurWaterSupplyNetwork.jpg
http://www.yvw.com.au/Home/Waterandsewerage/recycledwater/Residents/Wherewillitbeavailable/index.htm
http://www.citywestwater.com.au/our_assets/west_werribee.aspx

With the Geelong region having systems to new housing estates at Armstrong Creek and Torquay:

https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/residential/recycled-water

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 01:22:43 +0000

In reply to TheLoadedDog. Flush with success?

By: Paul Westcott

Paul Westcott — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:18:01 +0000

The devices installed at the Black Rock sewer outfall in the 1960s to chop up any remaining solids in the sewage were called “comminutors”. Commutators are part of an electric motor.

By: Andrew S

Andrew S — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 07:36:24 +0000

As part of one of the water civil engineering electives at Monash we had an excursion to the smaller treatment plant at Warragul, located on the eastern side of town. Toured the primary treatment stage (screening for solids such as cotton buds and plastics followed by sedimentation of larger particles) Then followed the secondary treatment stage (aeration tank/activated sludge followed by clarifier). Tertiary treatment would be UV disinfection before discharge – something not done previously.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 02:57:12 +0000

Most interesting and very surprising that proper treatment was not so long ago.