Pump Industry Magazine

A new $1.2 billion water resource recovery facility has opened meeting burgeoning growth demand in Western Sydney. The Badu Yarragul water resource recovery facility at Kemps Creek will provide wastewater treatment capacity for more than 140,000 new residential and commercial connections. The Badu Yarragul facility can initially treat up to 35ML of wastewater per day, with future upgrades planned to increase capacity to 70ML per day.

As mining operations seek greater efficiency, electric diaphragm pumps are challenging the long-established role of AODDs. Whether margins are narrowing or commodities prices are soaring, the goal for a mine is the same: how to extract maximum value from operations. Mining companies, contractors and service providers are having to be more creative in their operational philosophy, which means many traditional technologies are being increasingly superseded.

Techtop Australia recently showcased its motor, variable speed drive (VSD) and heavy-duty gearbox solutions at the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) in Mackay, reinforcing its commitment to one of Australia’s most important and demanding industries. The event provided an excellent opportunity for the Techtop team to connect with mine operators, OEMs, engineering firms and maintenance contractors from across Australia.

When organisations invest in pumping systems, the initial purchase price is often the most visible figure. But across industrial, mining, construction, municipal, and wastewater applications, the real cost of ownership is shaped long before and after procurement. Lifecycle costs are not simply a financial calculation – it is the result of how a system is specified, operated, and maintained over time.

A pump can look and sound normal while still developing a problem. Thermal imaging provides maintenance teams with a way to see what is happening inside and around critical equipment while it is operating. CM Group uses thermal imaging as part of its approach to condition monitoring, and the FOTRIC thermal camera range, available through CM Products, is one of the best in the business.

Isaac Regional Council is repairing failed pumping infrastructure at Theresa Creek Dam following an incident that disrupted raw water supply to Clermont, Queensland. Two pumps supplying raw water from the dam failed in recent weeks, prompting an emergency alert as council worked to maintain the town’s available water storage. One pump has since been replaced and is operating at full capacity, while council continues work on the second pump. A diesel pump is on standby if needed.

The $16.5 million upgrade of Lismore’s most recognisable pump station will begin in January 2027, more than doubling the facility’s stormwater pumping capacity. Two new pumps at the Browns Creek pump station will increase its capacity from 4000 litres (L) per second to 10,000L/s, allowing it to move more than 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water every hour.

Celebrating its 12th year, the Pump Industry Capability Guide returns as the primary reference tool for all pump users in Australia, connecting end-users nationwide with the products and services they require. The challenges of rising inflation and supply chain shortages affect all sectors of the economy. Nevertheless, the broad scope of pump applications works in the industry’s favour.

In demanding mining environments, the pump system must do more than move water. Mine dewatering is often described as a simple utility function. In practice, experienced mining engineers know that it is much more than that. Water can determine whether a working area remains accessible, whether excavation can continue safely, and whether equipment can operate without unnecessary interruption. As an underground mine advances deeper, the dewatering duty does not remain static.

SAER is helping Australian miners overcome complex water challenges with tailored pumping solutions and extensive stock availability. While water is omnipresent on a mine site, how it is managed dictates the success of an operation. Across underground dewatering, dust control, water treatment and mineral processing, operators with stringent water management strategies can access long-term cost benefits and embed resilience into their plant.