Kenilworth STP Maintenance

Specifications

• Client: Sodexo
• Scope:

  Sodexo on behalf of Unitywater engaged Verterra to provide the following services at the Kenilworth STP: 

  Trimming of vetiver grass; management of weed control within the vetiver grass rows including spraying; pruning of lower branches of forest trees and trimming of shrubs or bushes within the Bush food area; and management of weed control within the Bushy food area, including spraying.

• Challenge:

  Treated water from the Unitywater Kenilworth Sewerage Treatment Facility is irrigated onto an area of vetiver grass and bush food forest trees. Sodexo has maintenance responsibility for these areas which require periodic maintenance including: weed control; vetiver grass harvest and grass removal and pruning of trees for access.  Previous grass removal activities had damaged at least 40% of the irrigation distribution piping and resulted in water ponding at the head of rows. Piping was non-existent in several locations.

• Solution:

  Verterra proposed minor repairs to the irrigation system pipework to significantly improve water flow, reduce ponding and improve site service efficiency. In addition, Verterra proposed use of a Positrack equipped with a manoeuvrable hydraulic lift cutting deck allowing the operator to slash inter-rows, disengage and lift the deck to move past irrigation equipment. In addition, coordination between Verterra and Unitywater field managers ensures irrigation is scheduled so that areas are trafficable at the time of mowing. Saturated inter rows are bypassed until the following round to avoid soil shearing and damage to the irrigation system.

• Benefit to Client:

  Maintenance that complies with the Terms of Reference. Improvements to site service efficiency and reduction in likelihood of and costs associated with damage to the irrigation system.

• Market Sector: Water and Wastewater
• Capabilities:
  • Vegetation and weed management
• Location: Queensland
• Year: 2016 - 2017 - 2018