Crystal Cascades Water Intake Upgrade Project

Abstract

The Crystal Cascades Intake is the primary water supply point for Cairns and feeds the Freshwater water treatment plant. To improve water quality and address safety issues that had been identified at the intake site, Cairns Regional Council (CRC) commissioned GHD to collaborate on the Crystal Cascades Intake Upgrade Project. The solution created by the team centred of four considerations: careful material selection to ensure feasible delivery to a difficult site with minimal disruption to the environment; structure performance to protect Council crews against potential rock fall events; a temporary bypass strategy to enable uninterrupted water supply to the community while constructions crews worked; and site flooding enhancements to assist with future flood recovery at the site. The water quality of the Cairns community was improved with the provision of new mechanical belt screens, while the safety of the CRC operators and maintenance teams was improved with a site structure that combined the strength and durability of concrete with the absorbing properties of sand and soil via anchoring to the native rock. The collaborative approach was invaluable as the experience and knowledge of Council operators and maintenance teams ensured that the solutions aligned with potential events and future needs of CRC and the Cairns community.