Townsville Ross River Aerator

The Ross River Dam is the largest supply of raw water in the Townsville area.  Following treatment at the Douglas Water Treatment Plant, it provides the majority of potable water for Townsville.  Water from the Ross River Dam had experienced taste and odour events related to low dissolved oxygen (DO) and stratification. This leads to the release of low levels of Methyl-Isoborneal (MIB) and Geosmin, which are often linked to “earthy”, “musty” or “woody” odours and tastes. Aeration is one process that can be applied to maintain a uniform high DO concentration and water temperature along the RRD depth profile, removing stratification during the spring and summer period.

This project involved the construction of an aerator pipeline from the downstream wall of the dam embankment over the embankment and installation at the base of the dam via heavy ballast.

This project was completed within 9 weeks.