The trenchless industry, in conjunction with evolving NO-DIG technology, forms a critical role in modern day infrastructure development and maintenance projects. As the industry advances, so does the need to support the effective treatment of the spoil being produced,during the construction phases.
Through modern day development, sustainability targets are set for a project, encouraging balanced choices for all environmental aspects that will be impacted. These targets tend to be achieved and favoured largely during the physical construction of the designed asset. However, many groups forget that sustainability targets are able to be achieved during the early stages of development, within the spoil removal and the choice to have this spoil treated. This sustainability offset is contributed when the NDD and drill mud spoil is receivedand the resources within are recovered as opposed to simply disposing to landfill.
As a result of infrastructure developments choosing the responsible treatment of the spoil, Enviropacific SOLVE located in Altona has contributed to the management and effective treatment of over 130,000 tonnes of contaminated NDD slurries and drill muds from across the state, since opening its treatment plant back in 2021.
The facility has paved the way forward in handling this material; material which is often contaminated due to the elected locations of these major infrastructure developments.
SOLVE efficiently removes contaminants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbon species and forever chemicals known as PFAS. The spoil is segregated based on particle size and treated via high pressure washing, moving the contaminant from the solid phase into the aqueous phase. The produced washwaters are further filtered and corrected, before they are reintroduced back into the treatment system to offset the need in drawing potable water.
This dual stage treatment process produces three distinct outputs; aggregates, sands, and clay. All outputs treated, recovered and de-risked, with majority being able to be reintroduced back into the construction products lifecycle as resources, further upholding the sustainability target.
SOLVE is continuing to promote safe disposal, upholding compliant and progressive operations, to ensure round the clock treatment for large scale volumes, as well as achievingtested recovered construction products for further beneficial reuse.
The SOLVE facility has been playing their part in contributing to safer environments andsustainable communities. Resolving Waste and Reclaiming Resources, should be embraced across each stage of development and should be upheld and celebrated that the capability exists within the trenchless industry.