Unitywater is installing a new bioreactor as part of a major upgrade at the Burpengary East wastewater treatment plant in Moreton Bay, Queensland.

The new bioreactor – which sees microorganisms help break down wastewater to remove nutrients – will part of a larger refurbishment, with inlet works, enhanced odour control, upgraded disinfection systems and modernised electrical infrastructure to help improve efficiency and sustainability.

Unitywater executive manager – sustainable infrastructure solutions Mike Basterfield said construction began in May 2024 and remains on track for completion in early 2027.

“Major projects like this take time and this upgrade is progressing well,” he said. “The concrete walls for the new bioreactor have now been poured and hydrotested to ensure they’re watertight.”

Once complete, the upgrade will increase the plant’s treatment capacity from 50,000 to 81,000 people, supporting growth across Narangba, Burpengary, Beachmere, Burpengary East, Deception Bay and Morayfield.

“To put that into perspective, once completed, it will have capacity to treat 14 million litres of wastewater per day, more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools’ worth of wastewater,” Basterfield said.

“The new bioreactor will improve the breakdown of organic pollutants, and the treated wastewater will be cleaner to be returned to Caboolture River.”

The upgrade forms part of Unitywater’s broader $2 billion capital program over the next five years to deliver essential water and wastewater infrastructure for its growing service region.

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