Membrane Bioreactor

Karratha is the powerhouse of Western Australia’s Pilbara region. In 2009, the Airport commenced a $100m redevelopment, which included the installation of a new packaged sewage treatment plant. The plant was required to treat sewage generated in the terminal to achieve “risk category high” compliance values, in accordance with the guidelines for Non-Potable Use of Recycled Water in Western Australia, to enable onsite reuse for toilet flushing, landscape irrigation and for the automatic car washing facility. MAK Water was engaged by the hydraulic services contractor to carry out the design, manufacture, commissioning and WA Department of Health (DoH) validation of the plant. MAK Water was subsequently awarded a five year contract to operate and maintain (O&M) the plant on behalf of the City of Karratha.

When a well-established Nickel Mining company, operating in the Southern Goldfields of Western Australia (WA), required a new accommodation camp, they contacted MAK Water to discuss wastewater treatment options. Due to a shortage of available fresh water, the client required a turnkey solution, including a Sewage Treatment Plant capable of producing water that could be reused in their process. This reduced the site’s water costs and reduced the impact on the environment.

The first stage of the Wheatstone LNG Project commenced with a temporary fly camp for construction workers.  MAK Water was engaged to supply modular Potable Water and Wastewater treatment plants with additional capacity able to handle the initial 500 man fly camp and the start of the main construction camp. MAK Water took responsibility for the turnkey supply and installation of a Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) to treat the sewage to a standard suitable for reuse in industrial applications.

Exxon Mobil’s PNG LNG Project required a Potable Water Treatment Plant (PWTP) and a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to service the 630 man permanent facilities compound in Port Moresby. Recognising MAK Water’s expertise in design and manufacture of high quality, fully automated, packaged water and sewage treatment plants for Oil and Gas projects, the construction contractor engaged MAK Water to design and construct the plants. Further to the offsite manufacture and supply of the plants, site installation and commissioning assistance, and a service agreement to support the facility operator were also provided.