Odour monitoring is ongoing at our Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant which is important to the smooth operation of this facility.

Whilst the recent focus has been on odour mitigation from wastewater assets, the Bendigo plant is also home to a number of on-site lagoons. There is potential for odour to arise from these lagoons if blue-green algae develops in the summer months.

Blue-green algae is a naturally-occurring bacteria that can be present in a body of water during the right conditions – such as still water that is clear enough for light to penetrate, warm temperatures and adequate nutrients in the water.

We continue to monitor our lagoons via sampling and visual checks throughout summer.

An update on our actions:

Advice received from an odour industry expert will inform future process improvements and minor works

Work continues to contain odours near our wastewater screening area.

Planned works to refurbish biofilters at the site remain on track to start in late February.

We have purchased new odour extraction fans, including spares, and we await their arrival at the plant.

Report odour to us here.

If it’s an urgent odour issue, we strongly encourage you to phone us anytime 24/7 on 1300 363 200. The more that we receive these reports, the more we can build a picture of the areas of our plant which need the most urgent attention.

The next update is Friday 1 March.