Project Overview

Wodonga is experiencing unprecedented growth. Its population forecast to double by 2060 and the Leneva Valley has been identified as a key area for residential and community development on the city’s rural outskirts. To support this growth, the capacity of both the Baranduda Sewer Pump Station (SPS) and Middle Creek SPS need to be increased.

Currently, wastewater is collected at the Baranduda WWTP and pumped to Middle Creek SPS, before transferring to the Wodonga gravity reticulation system, eventually ending up the West Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant.

To meet the project goals, we need to upgrade the existing pipework between the pump stations. This includes installing new pumps and electrical switchboards at each site. During these works, some pump stations will need to be temporarily shut down, so alternative flow management will be put in place.

North East Water has hired an experienced contractor for this work and is actively managing any impacts from the diversions.

Middle Creek sewer pump station bypass

The works to the Middle Creek SPS are essential to managing wastewater services for the townships of Baranduda, Ebden, Killara, Kiewa, Riverside Estate, Tangambalanga and the Leneva growth corridor

To complete some of the upgrade works, the Middle Creek SPS needs to be shut down for a number of weeks through October 2025. During this shutdown, all wastewater will be directed to the Baranduda wastewater treatment plant and held onsite for approximately three weeks.

To manage these increase flows additional treatment controls including aeration devices have been installed in the lagoons to maintain treatment performance and minimise odour generation as per regulatory guidelines.

Importantly, there will be no change to your sewer services.

For safety reasons, the Baranduda Boulevard exit of the Middle Creek walking track running from Kiewa Valley Highway, is currently closed to users. We expect the exit to reopen in early November.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

What can I smell?

During the diversion period, you may notice increased odour and noise levels near the Baranduda and Middle Creek pump stations. North East Water will continuously monitor these levels and is taking steps to minimise any impact on the environment and surrounding community.

A wastewater pond works by using natural biological processes in a series of large, shallow basins to break down organic matter and remove contaminants from wastewater. Bacteria and algae in the pond perform this work, with anaerobic bacteria in deeper layers breaking down solid waste and aerobic bacteria in the upper, oxygen-rich layers using oxygen produced by photosynthetic algae to further purify the water.

A sewage lagoon with low dissolved oxygen may produce some odour often like rotten eggs or sulfur due to the release of hydrogen sulfide from anaerobic digestion. There is a higher chance of this occurring during this shut down period, but it will be closely monitored by our team.

We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience. If you have any concerns, please contact us using the details provided. Learn more about North East Water's sewage treatment processes here.