Major Kian Bullock Major Kian Bullock

Water Treatment Facility

Design and Construction of the 2.1ML Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility in Nauru to supply the island with potable water

Nauru 2.1ML Reverse Osmosis

Location: Nauru
Client: MTC / Australian Govt / Gov of Nauru
Duration: 5 Months
Type: Industrial construction

Facility Description: The Nauru Desalination Plant, designed to enhance the water supply infrastructure on the island, is set to be installed near the existing 2.1 ML/day facility. This new plant will share critical services with the existing setup, including electrical supply, generator backup, seawater intake, waste return, and permeate storage and distribution systems. The plant aims to provide a reliable source of potable water by utilising advanced reverse osmosis (RO) technology to treat seawater, ensuring consistent water quality and supply for Nauru’s residents and industries.

Works Completed: HTS Constructions undertook a comprehensive design review and construction plan for the Nauru Desalination Plant. The scope of work included:

  • Design Review: Evaluated the existing design for gaps and proposed improvements, such as splitting the RO system into two trains for better redundancy and efficiency, and integrating anti-scaling measures.

  • Site Preparation: Established new seawater intake infrastructure, including three bores and a pumphouse, to ensure a steady and reliable supply of raw seawater to the plant.

  • Electrical Upgrades: Enhanced the electrical setup by confirming the capacity of the Main Switch Board (MSB) and ensuring sufficient backup power with a 500 kVA generator. This also included planning for efficient cabling routes and earthing designs.

  • Construction and Installation: Mobilised materials and equipment to construct the new RO plant, including pipe supports, chemical tanks, and cartridge filters. Ensured that the plant layout was optimised to reduce unnecessary piping and improve operational efficiency.

  • Safety and Compliance: Addressed safety in design issues by recommending the installation of access platforms for chemical tanks, safety showers, and bunded storage for chemicals. Ensured all work complied with relevant safety standards and procedures.

The project is geared towards significantly improving Nauru’s water treatment capacity, ensuring the delivery of high-quality potable water to support the island's needs.

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