Protecting Queensland’s waterways

UV-Guard Australia, a supplier of disinfection solutions which is part of the combined entity Nubian Water Systems, has refurbished Unitywater’s water treatment plant in Queensland to maximum design performance and will achieve the wastewater disinfection results required to meet licence consent.

The refurbished system will continue to protect users of the waterway into which the treated wastewater is discharged by removing the risk from a wider range of bacteria and parasites. UV-Guard was commissioned by Unitywater, a statutory authority providing water and sewage services to 16.3% of Queensland’s population, to implement, repair and revamp one of their existing wastewater treatment systems. The installation of updated ultraviolet (UV) technologies means water being treated for drinking and recreational purposes will be treated with UV radiation. UV radiation works to disrupt DNA microorganisms in water, damaging them so that they cannot reproduce.

General Manager UV-Guard Australia Ross Dive says, “Existing technologies in the Unitywater plant were not unsafe but they were in need of an update. This renewal process with ultraviolet radiation ensures that harmful bacteria and parasites do not escape disinfection and water is safe for the entire community.”

UV-Guard implemented advanced technologies in the upgrade including the implementation of Philips UV lamps and electronic ballasts to achieve maximum UV lamp performance with less energy being required from similar electronic ballasts currently used in the marketplace.

UV disinfection dates back to 1916 and continues to be a reliable means of sterilisation. The advantage of treating water through UV radiation is that it has no toxic or significant non-toxic by-products, is low maintenance and a comparatively economic, sustainable recycling solution.

Nubian Water Systems CEO Barry Porter says, “UV-Guard and Nubian are working to combine the strengths of both companies to provide world-class expertise and innovative water solutions to the urban environment.”

General Manager UV-Guard Australia Ross Dive concludes, “Our main message is that UV-Guard can give water utility companies peace of mind through product, service and support using UV technologies at competitive prices with long-term performance benefits. It is very straightforward to get a much-improved result. The technology has been proven now over many years and it’s less expensive and easier to operate than alternative technologies.”