Wastewater Treatment Plant update, Dunedoo

Warrumbungle Council is continuing to work on rectifying the ongoing odour issues at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dunedoo. 

“I appreciate that the Dunedoo community has still been experiencing odour issues from the Dunedoo Wastewater Treatment Plant,” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan. “As part of the process to help rectify this problem Council engaged a Contractor to carry out a heavy cleaning of sewer mains in Dunedoo. The heavy cleaning has resulted in a heavier than expected influx of concentrated septic waste into Council’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and has unexpectedly affected the main treatment unit, we believe that this has resulted in the most recent odour issue.” 

Since completing these works Council staff have observed improvements in the process and are continuing to monitor the situation. Additional healthy solids have also been brought in from another wastewater treatment plant in order to improve the process and flush the septic waste out of the treatment reactor.

Council will be further investigating the cause of the higher than expected amount of concentrated septic material, whether this be a fault in the sewer mains or inappropriate material being deposited into the system.

In addition to this, Council is planning further maintenance of other elements of the treatment plant to further combat possible odour sources being produced and to improve the treatment performance of the plant. These works and will be undertaken early-November 2023. Council is also working towards major upgrades at the treatment plant.

The mechanical aeration unit has also been repaired and returned to service. Staff are conducting regular testing to monitor the performance of the aeration unit in order to maximise its treatment performance.

Council has been consulting with industry specialists along with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) to implement recommended actions to best manage the odour from the plant. 

“I appreciate that this has been unpleasant at times to the residents of Dunedoo and thank them for their understanding and cooperation. Should residents experience further odour issues from the treatment plant then please let staff know as soon a possible,” Cr Doolan concluded. 

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Last Updated: 02 Nov 2023