22:
464:
209:
The Main
Outfall Sewer was constructed in 1892-4 and was a vital link in the sewerage system of Melbourne which, when it was constructed in the 1890s, was the largest civil engineering project ever undertaken in Victoria. The sewer was constructed by seven contractors employing 1300 workers and cost
391:
disinfection plant was built at the
Western Treatment Plant in 2004. This plant treats Class C recycled water to Class A standard which means this water is suitable for a greater number of uses. In 2010/11, about 29.972 billion litres of recycled water was supplied from the Western Treatment Plant.
188:
was ultimately responsible for the design and implementation of the system. At a time when most cities dumped their untreated wastes directly into rivers and the sea, Mansergh advised treatment of
Melbourne's sewage by broad irrigation with a capacity large enough able to deal with the expansion in
189:
population expected over 50 years. The system he conceived and which was implemented in only slightly modified form began with a water closet at every property which delivered the sewage by gravity through a network of underground sewers of increasing diameter to a steam
117:
The rapidly expanding metropolis faced an increasing pollution problem. While it was described by
British journalists as "Marvellous Melbourne" and "a city of magnificent intentions", it was also being dubbed "Marvellous Smellbourne" because of its primitive and
88:
as a wetland of international importance. The
Western Treatment Plant treats around fifty percent of Melbourne's sewage — about 485 megalitres or 393 acre-feet per day — and generates almost 40,000 megalitres or 32,000 acre-feet of
85:
371:. The Western Treatment Plant generates 70,000 MWh annually which means that it sometimes exceeds its own need for electricity and exports it back to the grid. Capturing and using biogas to generate electricity also means
306:"Greening the Pipeline" is a project aimed to transform approximately the pipeline into a 40-metre (43 yd) wide parkland in Melbourne's western suburbs to connect its communities. The pilot stage will be a 100m section in
267:
loads entering its waters continued to increase, and thus recommended a reduction in nitrogen loads going into the bay. In 2004, Melbourne Water completed a $ 160 million upgrade of the plant to reduce nitrogen loads.
824:
1450:
770:
213:
The Main
Outfall Sewer consists of a semicircular brick or concrete lined channel (in places arched over to form a circular tunnel with an earth covering) and three brick arched
1440:
653:
627:
1435:
1430:
379:
emissions are significantly reduced. Around 90% of odour emissions from the
Western Treatment Plant have been cut since the first methane covers were installed in 1992.
114:
in 1851 led to
Melbourne becoming the richest city in the world at the time and thus, with a population of about 500,000 by the 1880s, also Australia's most populous.
745:
1420:
1405:
1286:
452:
828:
236:
The Main
Outfall Sewer's function has now been entirely replaced by the more modern Western Trunk Sewer. The Main Outfall Sewer has been listed on the
1425:
1276:
170:
65:
221:) to the Western Treatment Plant, spanning the suburbs of Brooklyn, Laverton North, Williams Landing, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee in the cities of
1415:
531:. Access to the Western Treatment Plant for birdwatching is by permit only; permits can be obtained from Melbourne Water. The site is part of the
893:
532:
150:
was formed to come up with a solution to
Melbourne's waste problems. The Commission's findings led to an ambitious plan for the construction of a
796:
416:
onsite, and to maintain the health of the Ramsar listed wetlands. A further 1.921 billion litres of recycled water (Class A) was supplied to
774:
589:
339:. The water progressively becomes cleaner as it flows through each of the ponds. Two main types of ponds are used in lagoon treatment -
1410:
1339:
501:
recorded there. On the south-western boundary lies the 1550 ha Murtcaim Wildlife Area, containing one of the last unmodified areas of
1291:
606:
177:, chosen for its low rainfall and suitable soils. Western Treatment Plant (then known as Werribee Farm) began operations in 1897.
130:, ran into street channels and open drains which emptied into rivers and creeks, turning them into open sewers. As a consequence,
521:
1281:
685:
657:
631:
1366:
1296:
1307:
433:
1263:
1214:
1445:
1328:
1323:
886:
237:
185:
463:
21:
1245:
703:
854:
483:
190:
478:
In 1921 parts of Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula including the Western Treatment Plant were declared a
331:, each of which can hold around 600 million litres of water. Sewage flows slowly through these ponds, allowing
218:
1075:
1004:
217:. It runs for approximately 27 kilometres or 17 miles from the old pumping station in Spotswood (now part of
1120:
1204:
1138:
1115:
825:"Melbourne Water : Sewerage : Western Treatment Plant : Community and Environmental Benefits"
548:
94:
1130:
1199:
1148:
879:
850:
553:
536:
417:
300:
1105:
1090:
247:— a 23 km (14 mi) cycling and pedestrian trail — runs mostly alongside the Main Outfall Sewer.
1253:
1100:
1022:
948:
528:
525:
413:
57:
1050:
1017:
1143:
1040:
506:
601:
Cervero, Robert B. (1998). The Transit Metropolis: A Global Inquiry. Chicago: Island Press. p. 320.
1110:
1095:
1085:
988:
956:
226:
194:
111:
936:
1.123 million ML (247 billion imp gal; 297 billion US gal)
1271:
1183:
980:
940:
198:
201:
to begin its 25 kilometre journey along the Main Outfall Sewer to the sewage farm at Werribee.
617:"The Snowy Mountains Scheme and Multicultural Australia". Atse.org.au. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
602:
487:
240:
for being "of historical and scientific (engineering) significance to the State of Victoria."
214:
49:
686:
http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/sewerage/western_treatment_plant/history/history.asp
1080:
1012:
972:
964:
906:
479:
368:
347:(with oxygen) - both producing different types of bacteria needed to break down the sewage.
344:
340:
336:
307:
288:
260:
244:
222:
147:
61:
42:
1352:
1258:
421:
388:
230:
77:
69:
327:
systems at the Western Treatment Plant. A modern lagoon is typically made up of 10 large
122:
waste disposal methods. The majority of waste water from industries and homes, including
1158:
1070:
510:
451:
The remaining treated effluent is discharged into Port Phillip Bay under an accredited
437:
372:
269:
181:
155:
90:
81:
73:
45:
1000:
22,000 ML (4.8 billion imp gal; 5.8 billion US gal)
992:
27,000 ML (5.9 billion imp gal; 7.1 billion US gal)
984:
30,000 ML (6.6 billion imp gal; 7.9 billion US gal)
976:
37,500 ML (8.2 billion imp gal; 9.9 billion US gal)
871:
1399:
1240:
1178:
1173:
1065:
1055:
1045:
1008:
3,000 ML (660 million imp gal; 790 million US gal)
996:
968:
40,000 ML (8.8 billion imp gal; 11 billion US gal)
952:
200,000 ML (44 billion imp gal; 53 billion US gal)
944:
287,000 ML (63 billion imp gal; 76 billion US gal)
425:
960:
96,000 ML (21 billion imp gal; 25 billion US gal)
493:
The Western Treatment Plant is one of Australia's best-known sites for recreational
392:
Of this, about 28.051 billion litres of recycled water (mostly Class C) was used to
1232:
1168:
902:
573:
494:
490:
site, internationally recognised for its wetland habitat especially for waterfowl.
292:
123:
279:
across the site. Land and grass filtration methods previously used were stopped.
1346:
1163:
1153:
1125:
932:
539:
because of its importance for waterbirds as well as for orange-bellied parrots.
356:
276:
163:
1060:
502:
467:
393:
360:
272:
119:
1381:
1368:
923:
915:
513:
429:
53:
332:
296:
264:
174:
151:
86:
Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site
401:
397:
135:
131:
127:
25:
Satellite image of the Western Treatment Plant on 26th November, 2007.
746:"Greening the pipeline - Williams Landing parkland | Melbourne Water"
720:
445:
405:
364:
324:
159:
1135:
West Gellibrand and Olangolah Reservoirs and No.4 & No.5 Basins
509:, creeks, saltmarsh, and coast host large numbers of sedentary and
184:
was appointed to advise on a suitable system, while local engineer
517:
462:
409:
376:
256:
20:
498:
441:
328:
875:
919:
16:
Ramsar site and sewage treatment plant in Victoria, Australia
771:"Sewage treatment - How it works today: Melbourne Water"
721:"Greening the Pipeline | A future vision for Melbourne"
255:
In 1996, a Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study by the
855:"Important Bird Areas factsheet: Werribee and Avalon"
197:
where it was forced up wrought iron rising mains to
1316:
1223:
1192:
1031:
914:
303:, follows the heritage-listed Main Outfall Sewer.
574:http://www.street-directory.com.au/vic/melbourne
1451:Buildings and structures in the City of Wyndham
505:on Port Phillip. The sewage treatment lagoons,
524:and is one of the few wintering sites for the
887:
8:
681:
679:
677:
675:
424:for offsite customers, such as the Werribee
1441:Sewerage infrastructure in Victoria (state)
894:
880:
872:
654:"Melbourne's first sewage treatment plant"
1277:Catchment Management Authority (Victoria)
819:
817:
351:Electricity from biogas and odour control
171:Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
66:Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
1436:Industrial buildings in Victoria (state)
1431:Important Bird Areas of Victoria (state)
698:
696:
694:
585:
583:
581:
474:) nesting at the Western Treatment Plant
41:) is a 110 km (42 sq mi)
565:
533:Werribee and Avalon Important Bird Area
572:Observable from official Melway maps,
72:. The plant's land is bordered by the
68:(MMBW), and is currently operated by
58:Melbourne's central business district
7:
1421:Water management in Victoria (state)
1406:Sewage treatment plants in Australia
715:
713:
688:. Cannot be Accessed on 15 Sep 2018.
486:. In 1983 the plant was declared a
84:to the west. It forms part of the
355:Using huge covers over the ponds,
291:, a major arterial pedestrian and
156:system of pipes, sewers and drains
64:. It was completed in 1897 by the
56:, 30 km (19 mi) west of
14:
656:. Melbourne Water. Archived from
630:. Melbourne Water. Archived from
295:that runs for 23-kilometres from
1426:1897 establishments in Australia
1301:Port Phillip and Westernport CMA
1193:Other water sources / facilities
522:Spit Nature Conservation Reserve
1416:Birdwatching sites in Australia
169:In 1892, the newly established
916:Greater Metropolitan Melbourne
367:) is captured and turned into
363:of sewage treatment (known as
162:from homes and factories to a
1:
1308:Minister for Water (Victoria)
112:discovery of gold in Victoria
1264:South East Water (Australia)
1215:Victorian Desalination Plant
497:, with about 270 species of
173:(MMBW) began buying land at
238:Victorian Heritage Register
158:built underground to carry
1467:
797:"Biogas | Melbourne Water"
725:greeningthepipeline.com.au
1411:Ramsar sites in Australia
801:www.melbournewater.com.au
750:www.melbournewater.com.au
180:Eminent British engineer
592:, Accessed 10 July 2012.
535:, identified as such by
35:Metropolitan Sewage Farm
1237:Central Highlands Water
1210:Western Treatment Plant
1205:Eastern Treatment Plant
590:Western Treatment Plant
549:Eastern Treatment Plant
323:There are three modern
142:Conception and planning
106:The need for a solution
95:Eastern Treatment Plant
37:or, more commonly, the
31:Western Treatment Plant
1200:Altona Treatment Plant
851:BirdLife International
554:Altona Treatment Plant
537:BirdLife International
475:
26:
1254:Greater Western Water
1250:Goulburn Valley Water
1246:Goulburn–Murray Water
628:"History of Sewerage"
529:orange-bellied parrot
526:critically endangered
466:
343:(without oxygen) and
164:sewage treatment farm
24:
1268:Southern Rural Water
418:Southern Rural Water
414:manage soil salinity
263:could be damaged if
39:Werribee Sewage Farm
1378: /
1292:Glenelg Hopkins CMA
1226:government agencies
1224:Water companies and
319:System of treatment
219:Scienceworks Museum
1446:Werribee, Victoria
1382:38.000°S 144.567°E
1304:West Gippsland CMA
1287:East Gippsland CMA
1272:Yarra Valley Water
660:on 28 January 2012
634:on 19 January 2012
476:
335:to break down the
205:Main Outfall Sewer
80:to the north, and
60:, on the coast of
27:
1361:
1360:
1034:dams / reservoirs
520:. It adjoins the
277:sewage irrigation
76:to the east, the
50:Cocoroc, Victoria
1458:
1393:
1392:
1390:
1389:
1388:
1387:-38.000; 144.567
1383:
1379:
1376:
1375:
1374:
1371:
1329:William Thwaites
1324:William Davidson
1009:
1001:
993:
985:
977:
969:
961:
953:
945:
937:
896:
889:
882:
873:
866:
865:
863:
861:
847:
841:
840:
838:
836:
827:. Archived from
821:
812:
811:
809:
807:
793:
787:
786:
784:
782:
773:. Archived from
767:
761:
760:
758:
756:
742:
736:
735:
733:
731:
717:
708:
707:
700:
689:
683:
670:
669:
667:
665:
650:
644:
643:
641:
639:
624:
618:
615:
609:
599:
593:
587:
576:
570:
369:renewable energy
337:organic material
314:Sewage treatment
308:Williams Landing
289:Federation Trail
261:Port Phillip Bay
245:Federation Trail
186:William Thwaites
148:Royal Commission
126:and overflowing
62:Port Phillip Bay
43:sewage treatment
1466:
1465:
1461:
1460:
1459:
1457:
1456:
1455:
1396:
1395:
1386:
1384:
1380:
1377:
1372:
1369:
1367:
1365:
1364:
1362:
1357:
1353:City West Water
1312:
1282:Corangamite CMA
1259:Melbourne Water
1225:
1219:
1188:
1033:
1027:
1007:
999:
991:
983:
975:
967:
959:
951:
943:
935:
918:
910:
900:
870:
869:
859:
857:
849:
848:
844:
834:
832:
831:on 14 June 2013
823:
822:
815:
805:
803:
795:
794:
790:
780:
778:
769:
768:
764:
754:
752:
744:
743:
739:
729:
727:
719:
718:
711:
702:
701:
692:
684:
673:
663:
661:
652:
651:
647:
637:
635:
626:
625:
621:
616:
612:
600:
596:
588:
579:
571:
567:
562:
545:
461:
422:City West Water
389:water recycling
385:
383:Water recycling
353:
321:
316:
285:
253:
207:
191:pumping station
144:
108:
103:
78:Princes Freeway
70:Melbourne Water
17:
12:
11:
5:
1464:
1462:
1454:
1453:
1448:
1443:
1438:
1433:
1428:
1423:
1418:
1413:
1408:
1398:
1397:
1359:
1358:
1356:
1355:
1350:
1343:
1336:
1331:
1326:
1320:
1318:
1314:
1313:
1311:
1310:
1305:
1302:
1299:
1294:
1289:
1284:
1279:
1274:
1269:
1266:
1261:
1256:
1251:
1248:
1243:
1238:
1235:
1229:
1227:
1221:
1220:
1218:
1217:
1212:
1207:
1202:
1196:
1194:
1190:
1189:
1187:
1186:
1184:William Hovell
1181:
1176:
1171:
1166:
1161:
1156:
1151:
1146:
1141:
1136:
1133:
1128:
1123:
1118:
1113:
1108:
1103:
1098:
1093:
1088:
1083:
1078:
1076:Korweinguboora
1073:
1068:
1063:
1058:
1053:
1048:
1043:
1037:
1035:
1029:
1028:
1026:
1025:
1020:
1015:
1010:
1002:
994:
986:
978:
970:
962:
954:
946:
938:
929:
927:
912:
911:
901:
899:
898:
891:
884:
876:
868:
867:
842:
813:
788:
777:on 5 June 2012
762:
737:
709:
690:
671:
645:
619:
610:
594:
577:
564:
563:
561:
558:
557:
556:
551:
544:
541:
484:native animals
472:Cygnus atratus
460:
457:
438:sports grounds
434:local councils
396:85 km of
384:
381:
373:greenhouse gas
359:produced as a
352:
349:
320:
317:
315:
312:
284:
281:
270:Recycled water
252:
249:
206:
203:
182:James Mansergh
143:
140:
107:
104:
102:
99:
91:recycled water
82:Avalon Airport
74:Werribee River
33:(formerly the
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1463:
1452:
1449:
1447:
1444:
1442:
1439:
1437:
1434:
1432:
1429:
1427:
1424:
1422:
1419:
1417:
1414:
1412:
1409:
1407:
1404:
1403:
1401:
1394:
1391:
1354:
1351:
1349:
1348:
1344:
1342:
1341:
1337:
1335:
1332:
1330:
1327:
1325:
1322:
1321:
1319:
1315:
1309:
1306:
1303:
1300:
1298:
1295:
1293:
1290:
1288:
1285:
1283:
1280:
1278:
1275:
1273:
1270:
1267:
1265:
1262:
1260:
1257:
1255:
1252:
1249:
1247:
1244:
1242:
1241:Coliban Water
1239:
1236:
1234:
1231:
1230:
1228:
1222:
1216:
1213:
1211:
1208:
1206:
1203:
1201:
1198:
1197:
1195:
1191:
1185:
1182:
1180:
1177:
1175:
1172:
1170:
1167:
1165:
1162:
1160:
1157:
1155:
1152:
1150:
1147:
1145:
1142:
1140:
1137:
1134:
1132:
1129:
1127:
1124:
1122:
1121:Upper Coliban
1119:
1117:
1114:
1112:
1109:
1107:
1104:
1102:
1099:
1097:
1094:
1092:
1089:
1087:
1084:
1082:
1079:
1077:
1074:
1072:
1069:
1067:
1064:
1062:
1059:
1057:
1054:
1052:
1049:
1047:
1044:
1042:
1039:
1038:
1036:
1030:
1024:
1021:
1019:
1016:
1014:
1011:
1006:
1003:
998:
995:
990:
987:
982:
979:
974:
971:
966:
963:
958:
955:
950:
947:
942:
939:
934:
931:
930:
928:
925:
921:
917:
913:
908:
904:
897:
892:
890:
885:
883:
878:
877:
874:
856:
852:
846:
843:
830:
826:
820:
818:
814:
802:
798:
792:
789:
776:
772:
766:
763:
751:
747:
741:
738:
726:
722:
716:
714:
710:
705:
699:
697:
695:
691:
687:
682:
680:
678:
676:
672:
659:
655:
649:
646:
633:
629:
623:
620:
614:
611:
608:
607:1-55963-591-6
604:
598:
595:
591:
586:
584:
582:
578:
575:
569:
566:
559:
555:
552:
550:
547:
546:
542:
540:
538:
534:
530:
527:
523:
519:
515:
512:
508:
504:
500:
496:
491:
489:
485:
481:
473:
469:
465:
458:
456:
454:
449:
447:
443:
439:
435:
431:
428:area to grow
427:
426:market garden
423:
419:
415:
411:
407:
403:
399:
395:
390:
382:
380:
378:
374:
370:
366:
362:
358:
350:
348:
346:
342:
338:
334:
330:
326:
318:
313:
311:
309:
304:
302:
298:
294:
290:
282:
280:
278:
274:
271:
266:
262:
258:
250:
248:
246:
241:
239:
234:
232:
228:
224:
220:
216:
211:
204:
202:
200:
196:
192:
187:
183:
178:
176:
172:
167:
165:
161:
157:
153:
149:
141:
139:
137:
133:
129:
125:
121:
115:
113:
105:
100:
98:
97:treats 40%.)
96:
93:a year. (The
92:
87:
83:
79:
75:
71:
67:
63:
59:
55:
51:
47:
44:
40:
36:
32:
23:
19:
1363:
1345:
1338:
1333:
1233:Barwon Water
1209:
1149:Cairn Curran
1139:Wurdee Boluc
903:Water supply
858:. Retrieved
845:
833:. Retrieved
829:the original
804:. Retrieved
800:
791:
779:. Retrieved
775:the original
765:
753:. Retrieved
749:
740:
728:. Retrieved
724:
662:. Retrieved
658:the original
648:
636:. Retrieved
632:the original
622:
613:
597:
568:
492:
477:
471:
453:EPA Victoria
450:
436:to irrigate
386:
354:
322:
305:
301:Altona North
293:bicycle path
287:Most of the
286:
254:
242:
235:
212:
208:
179:
168:
145:
124:chamber pots
116:
109:
38:
34:
30:
28:
18:
1385: /
1131:West Barwon
1126:Waranga Dam
1116:Stony Creek
1081:Laanecoorie
1023:Toorourrong
1005:O'Shannassy
949:Upper Yarra
926:by capacity
909:, Australia
507:Lake Borrie
459:Environment
408:and 40,000
357:methane gas
259:found that
227:Hobsons Bay
154:system - a
146:In 1888, a
138:were rife.
1400:Categories
1317:Historical
1297:Mallee CMA
1071:Glenmaggie
924:reservoirs
860:20 January
806:26 January
560:References
514:waterbirds
468:Black swan
430:vegetables
361:by-product
273:irrigation
210:£240,748.
120:unsanitary
1340:Devilbend
1159:Guthridge
1111:Rocklands
1106:Painkalac
1091:Malsmbury
1086:Lauriston
1056:Dartmouth
1046:Blue Rock
997:Maroondah
989:Greenvale
957:Sugarloaf
755:5 January
511:migratory
503:saltmarsh
480:sanctuary
455:licence.
432:, and to
341:anaerobic
275:replaced
215:aqueducts
195:Spotswood
54:Australia
1373:144°34′E
1179:Narracan
1174:Nagambie
1101:Moondara
1066:Eppalock
1032:Regional
981:Yan Yean
941:Cardinia
907:Victoria
730:17 April
543:See also
394:irrigate
333:bacteria
297:Werribee
265:nitrogen
251:Upgrades
223:Brimbank
199:Brooklyn
175:Werribee
152:sewerage
128:cesspits
1370:38°00′S
1334:Bittern
1169:Mulwala
1096:Marengo
1051:Bostock
933:Thomson
835:10 July
781:10 July
495:birding
446:gardens
404:15,000
402:grazing
398:pasture
345:aerobic
283:General
231:Wyndham
136:typhoid
132:cholera
101:History
1347:Terang
1164:Mokoan
1154:Catani
1061:Eildon
1018:Melton
1013:Anakie
973:Tarago
965:Silvan
664:11 May
638:11 May
605:
518:waders
488:Ramsar
406:cattle
365:biogas
325:lagoon
160:sewage
1041:Allen
704:"VHD"
499:birds
442:parks
410:sheep
377:odour
329:ponds
257:CSIRO
46:plant
1144:Boga
920:dams
862:2024
837:2012
808:2022
783:2012
757:2018
732:2017
666:2021
640:2021
603:ISBN
516:and
482:for
444:and
420:and
412:and
400:for
375:and
243:The
229:and
134:and
110:The
29:The
905:in
299:to
193:at
48:in
1402::
922:/
853:.
816:^
799:.
748:.
723:.
712:^
693:^
674:^
580:^
448:.
440:,
387:A
310:.
233:.
225:,
166:.
52:,
895:e
888:t
881:v
864:.
839:.
810:.
785:.
759:.
734:.
706:.
668:.
642:.
470:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
