WORK has begun on a $238.5m upgrade of Munster’s water resource recovery facility.

It’s hoped it will set a new sustainably benchmark, converting wastewater into clean water and renewable energy.

Commonly known as a wastewater treatment plant, the Woodman Point Water Resource Recovery Facility treats 150 million litres of wastewater daily from around 900,000 southern suburbs homes and businesses.

The facility will be progressively upgraded to treat 120 tonnes daily, keeping pace with a growing population as well as catering for future inflows.

Enhanced energy recovery technology will allow the facility to capture and reuse more biogas (mostly methane, which is naturally produced during the treatment process) as a renewable energy source.

The upgrades will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 5600 tonnes CO2-e annually, as less power will need to be purchased from the electricity grid to run the plant, supporting Water Corp’s target of net-zero emissions by 2035.

“Nearly half the plant’s energy needs will be generated on site, which is another significant step towards Water Corporation’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035,” said water minister Simone McGurk.