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West Camden STP FRP Odour Control Covers

This Tech Talk Tuesday session presents a project overview of the West Camden Sewage Treatment Plant odour control works, delivered for Sydney Water with Downer BMD as the client. The session is led by Edward Titley and Lachlan Butcher, with Lachlan focusing on Treadwell’s water and wastewater treatment solutions, including odour covers, baffle walls, ductwork and related FRP systems.

The West Camden project involved covering an existing balance tank, originally an IDAL tank, along with a new inlet structure. The site is located in West Camden in south-western Sydney, an area experiencing growth and increasing requirements for odour containment and odour control on live wastewater assets. Treadwell’s published case study confirms that the site required improved odour control across key process areas, with a strong focus on installation efficiency and minimal site disruption.

The project used Treadwell’s EcoEX™ SureLine® HD FRP odour control cover system, combined with a custom ArchitEX™ FRP L-Beam pultrusion solution. The system allowed large lift-in / lift-out cover panels to be installed rapidly, while maintaining a strong odour containment seal, long-term corrosion resistance and practical access for maintenance. Treadwell’s published case study notes that approximately 1,500 sqm of covers were installed over the balance tank area within two days.

Key Benefits

Rapid installation on a live treatment site

A major project challenge was the very short access window for installing covers over the existing tank. The custom lift-in / lift-out cover format allowed all major covers to be lifted onto the balance tank area within a two-day period, helping reduce disruption to plant operations.

Effective odour containment

The SureLine® HD system was used to create a highly effective odour control seal over the balance tank and inlet structure. Treadwell’s EcoEX™ odour control systems are designed to contain particulates, odours and corrosive gases over tanks and equipment.

Hydraulic sealing performance

The SureLine® HD panel system uses interlocking panels and seal details to help maintain odour containment. In this project, the L-Beam and SureLine® panel arrangement included foam seals, panel sealing and secondary flashings to help seal the system back to the concrete structure.

Corrosion resistance in hydrogen sulphide environments

The project had to account for hydrogen sulphide build-up within the balance tank. Lachlan explains that standard polyester resin is not suitable for hydrogen sulphide exposure and that wastewater odour control applications should use vinyl ester resin systems. Treadwell’s published case study also identifies hydrogen sulphide and corrosive gases as key project challenges.

Custom L-Beam solution for existing concrete conditions

Because the existing concrete walls needed coating to protect them from hydrogen sulphide attack, the support system had to be mounted on top of the wall rather than fixed through the protected surface. Treadwell developed a custom ArchitEX™ L-Beam arrangement with seals and cover support details to suit the project condition.

Lift-in / lift-out access for maintenance

The L-Beam perimeter frame allowed large FRP cover panels to be manufactured as lift-in / lift-out units, with integrated lifting points built into the perimeter beam. This supports future maintenance access without needing additional site modifications.

Trafficable cover performance

Treadwell’s SureLine® HD system can be designed for operational access, and the West Camden case study notes that the panels are trafficable and strong enough to support handrails, improving safety for maintenance personnel.

Integrated hatches and safety grates

EcoEX™ hatches were used with top odour control covers and underside safety grates. These hatches allow inspection, maintenance and access while helping maintain site safety. Treadwell also notes that SureLine® HD systems can be configured with inspection, maintenance and access hatches, including integrated safety grates.

Reduced on-site fibreglass work

Treadwell supplied the odour ducting as part of the scope, and the installation was completed without the need for on-site fibreglass connections. This simplified installation and reduced site complexity.

Long-term design life options

The session explains that a 25-year design life is common for odour control covers, while 50 to 55-year design life options may be available depending on resin system, exposure and project requirements.

Applications

Sewage treatment plant balance tanks

The main application discussed is the existing balance tank at West Camden STP. The SureLine® HD and L-Beam system was used to cover the tank and support odour containment across a large surface area.

Existing IDAL tank upgrades

The project involved an existing IDAL tank being converted or repurposed as part of process changes. The cover system was adapted to suit the existing concrete structure and the need to protect coated surfaces.

New inlet structures

In addition to the balance tank, the project included covers for a new inlet structure. This makes the system relevant to both retrofit and new concrete treatment plant assets.

Odour containment in growing urban areas

West Camden is in a growing part of south-western Sydney, where odour control expectations are increasing around wastewater infrastructure. FRP cover systems can help operators manage odour emissions from live treatment assets.

Hydrogen sulphide exposed wastewater assets

The system is suited to treatment plant environments where hydrogen sulphide exposure, corrosive gases and retention time challenges create demanding conditions for cover materials, ducting and support details.

Large removable tank cover panels

Treadwell’s L-Beam perimeter frame allows large panels to be lifted in and out as complete units. In the session, Lachlan notes that frames have been manufactured up to 13.5 m long and 3.3 m wide, with 3.3 m being a practical road transport width in Australia.

Odour ducting integration

The West Camden project included FRP odour ducting, helping coordinate the interface between the cover system and odour extraction system. This is useful where cover and ducting performance need to be designed together.

Maintenance access hatches

The EcoEX™ hatch system can be used where inspection, maintenance, pump rail access or future hatch replacement is required. Lachlan explains that hatch sizes can be changed later if needed, subject to project requirements.

Trafficable and roof load cover designs

Typical loadings discussed include 2.5 kPa for AS 1657 style access, 5 kPa in shorter span inlet areas where larger mechanical equipment may be removed, and lower roof style loads around 1.1 to 1.2 kPa where only basic access is required.

Projects requiring resin specification clarity

The Q&A highlights that resin selection is critical. For wastewater and odour control applications involving hydrogen sulphide, the specification should define the chemical exposure, intended design life and required resin system rather than simply asking for generic FRP.

Why Treadwell?

Treadwell’s value on the West Camden STP project was in providing a complete FRP odour control system rather than only a cover panel. The scope included EcoEX™ SureLine® HD covers, custom ArchitEX™ L-Beam structural profiles, hatches, safety grates, fasteners, support brackets, FRP grating and odour ducting.

The project also shows Treadwell’s ability to adapt standard FRP systems to difficult site conditions. The existing concrete tank, hydrogen sulphide exposure, coated wall surfaces and short installation window all required a customised design response. The final lift-in / lift-out cover system allowed fast installation while preserving access and odour control performance.

Treadwell’s EcoEX™ systems are designed for water, wastewater and sewage treatment environments where odour containment, corrosion resistance, chemical exposure and long-term asset performance are critical.

For wastewater treatment plants, contractors and asset owners, Treadwell provides technical support from early project discussion through to design, supply, ducting coordination, hatch integration and installation practicality. The West Camden project demonstrates how Treadwell can support large-scale odour control upgrades where performance, speed, safety and long-term durability all matter.

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*Disclaimer

The information on this page is derived from webinar content and AI-assisted transcription and summarisation. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, minor inaccuracies may occur. We recommend viewing the original webinar recording for context.

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