Halcyon Beerwah Sewer Pump Station

Scope

QMAX was engaged to undertake the comprehensive design and construction of a new wastewater pump station for the Stockland Halcyon aged care retirement village in Beerwah. This crucial infrastructure was designed to handle the community’s wastewater, providing a robust and reliable system for the village’s residents.

The project encompassed a complete turnkey solution, delivering a state-of-the-art pump station fully controlled by an integrated system. Our scope included the design and installation of a precast concrete pump station, measuring 2.2 meters in diameter and 5.56 meters deep, alongside all necessary pipework and valves. At the heart of the system was the supply and installation of dual Sulzer XFP80 wastewater pumps, known for their reliability. The system also included a sophisticated controller with an HMI (Human-Machine Interface), pump protection relays, and an SMS fault sender system for immediate alerts in case of an issue.

A key element of the design was the inclusion of a 25-kL horizontal emergency storage tank. This vital component provides additional time for a response in the event of an emergency, preventing potential overflows and ensuring continuous service. Furthermore, we equipped the pump station with a Muffin Monster, an invaluable asset in aged care applications to reduce pump blockages. This device, featuring a programmed PLC, is designed to activate a reversing function to handle large solid items, making it essential for managing items like wet wipes and sanitary products that are often flushed.

This project was the first installation of a 3200 Fortis PS, showcasing QMAX’s expertise in deploying advanced solutions. The overall holistic approach ensured the delivery of a highly efficient, reliable, and future-proof wastewater management solution for the Beerwah community.

Challenges

The Beerwah wastewater pump station project presented several unique challenges that required meticulous planning and coordination to ensure a safe and successful installation.

A primary challenge was the pump station’s proximity to an overhead powerline. The location of the pump station, directly underneath the powerline, necessitated extensive coordination with both the client and the energy company. This critical safety concern required careful scheduling and meticulous planning to isolate the power lines before any installation work could begin. This collaborative effort was crucial to ensuring the safety of our team and the successful, incident-free completion of the project.

Another key challenge, inherent to aged care facilities, was the need for a robust system capable of handling the unique demands of the community. The potential for pump blockages from sanitary products and wet wipes required a proactive solution. Our team addressed this by incorporating the Muffin Monster, a specialised grinder that mitigates these risks. This was a critical component of the design, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the pump station and protecting against service interruptions that could impact the residents.

The project also required a swift and efficient installation process to minimise disruption to the ongoing operations of the retirement village. This demanded a highly-coordinated approach, from the prefabrication of components to the on-site execution, ensuring that the new infrastructure was seamlessly integrated with minimal impact on the daily lives of the residents. The successful completion of this project, despite these challenges, resulted in a highly satisfied client, who was very happy with the quality and outcome provided by our team.