Last Monday I took great pride in opening council’s biosolids gasification facility at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Not only is the $28 million biosolids gasification facility an Australian-first, but it’s also delivering on council’s vision of becoming a green city that is carbon neutral by the end of this year.
When faced with finding a more sustainable way to manage more than 34,000 tonnes of biosolids each year council’s Logan Water team delivered.
They developed a facility that ultimately transforms human waste into renewable energy and an environmentally friendly, charcoal-like bi-product called biochar.
Biochar contains nutrients like those found in commercial slow release fertilisers; making it great for healthy soil and plants.
Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant provides services to 300,000 people each year. The gasifier will reduce council’s annual carbon emissions by about 6000 tonnes and save ratepayers almost $1 million a year through cost savings and carbon credits.
Before this facility six truckloads of biosolids were taken 300km to the Darling Downs for disposal each day.
Once this facility is up and running those truck movements will be down to one a week.
The relatively simple process is an innovative solution to an age-old problem. It will also enable Council to create a new revenue stream through biochar sales and put money back into the city.
Logan Water is leading the way for Australia to take a more sustainable approach to managing the 2.3 million tonnes of dewatered biosolids produced each year and already we have been approached by other utility providers looking to leverage our experience.
I truly believe our Logan Water team will be pioneers in helping the world overcome one of its biggest pollution issues.
