The BCAA project continues to forge ahead and is achieving great success. After agreeing a Target Cost in early March, 2007, the BCAA team commissioned its first plant at Sunnybank in June, 2007, delivering the first new water supply for Brisbane in over 20 years.

The team has continued to deliver its challenging programme of 6 water treatment plants at an amazing pace, with 3 more plants at Runcorn, Algester and Chandler now completed also and delivering excellent high quality potable water into Brisbane's distribution network.

The remaining Brisbane plant at Forest Lake is proceeding well with commissioning now commenced and the team remains on programme to deliver all plants during 2007.

The Banksia Beach plant at Bribie Island will incorporate advanced treatment using ozone and biologically active carbon to ensure substantially improved water quality for the Bribie Island community while also improving reliability of supply for Caboolture Shire residents overall.

The commitment of the BCAA Team and their contribution towards the drought relief effort has been absolutely first rate and the resulting treatment plants are a testament to the dedication of this quality team.

The Brisbane Caboolture Aquifer Alliance Team has commissioned the first of 6 plants to be delivered as part of the regional drought relief strategy on programme.

On the 28th June, 2007 Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman tapped into one of the city's oldest natural water supply systems to help the city beat the worst drought and water supply crisis in living memory.

The opening of the Sunnybank Water Treatment Plant bore site signalled the tapping of the first new major water source in Brisbane for over 20 years - and one that has not been used for over 175 years.

"We are now tapping into a valuable water supply resource that has not been used in Brisbane for drinking purposes since the 1830's," Cr Newman said.

The Sunnybank Water Treatment Plant is the first of Brisbane's five aquifer projects to provide treated drinking water directly to water pipes.

Cr Newman said it was a crucial part of the 'back to the future' Regional Drought Project that would help ensure the future supply of drinking water.

"The Sunnybank Aquifer site will add up to 2.5 million litres of treated groundwater a day to Brisbane's dwindling water supply," Cr Newman said.

"There are a lot of country towns that use bore water for drinking purposes and the very big lesson we must acknowledge is that this is an excellent source of drinking water that must be used responsibly and sustainably."

In total, the $75 million Brisbane Aquifer Project will create an additional 20 million litres of potable water per day - about six per cent of the city's current drinking water supply.

Other water treatment plants will be in Runcorn, Algester, Chandler and Forest Lake.

"This groundwater is coming from the Sunnybank Formation - a dynamic underground sand-based water system that stretches from Greenbank to the Brisbane River," he said.

Cr Newman said new water being added to the mains from the aquifer project would be treated to the same high standards as the current water supply.

"The new water treatment plants will filter, disinfect and stabilise the groundwater to ensure it meets the Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines," he said.

The Lord Mayor thanked Education Queensland, Sunnybank State High School and the Sunnybank Rugby Leaque Club for their co-operation, patience and understanding during the construction of this important initiative.

Aquatec Goup has had a long history of commitment to and involvement in training. This as resulted in recognition of the company as "Employer of the Year" ad apprentices as "Apprentice of the Year" on a number of occassions. Luke Walker has achieved the most recent success being awarded the Queensland Apprentice of the Year, Southwest Region at a gala ceremony on 27th July 2007.

Luke began work with Maxcon Industries as a labourer and his dedication and exemplary work ethic led to an apprenticeship. He has been awarded Apprentice of the Month internally. The QLD Apprentice of the Year, SW Region is a further recognition of his dedication and enthusiasm for learning from the experienced
professionals in his workplace. Congratulations Luke!!

Karl Naumann and Peter Ferrando have joined the board of Aquatec Maxcon reflecting their continued contribution to the company.

Karl joined the company in 1986 as a labourer before moving through a succession of roles as a coating applicator and purchasing officer while completing degrees in mathematics and engineering. He has been involved in a number of major projects including Maroochy Excel Water Alliance, Coffs Harbour WRP Alliance and Water Matters Alliance, Townsville. Karl's appointment is a clear demonstration of the wide range of career paths available within the company.

Peter joined the company in 2001 and has been project manager on a number of major projects including Oxley Creek Stages 1 & 2, Oxley Creek Stages 3 & 4, BWEA Sandgate, BWEA Oxley Creek and BWEA Wynnum, before becoming Alliance Manager for the Brisbane Caboolture Aquifier Alliance, a key part of the drought relief strategy for Southeast Queensland.