Xypex Biosan use at Snells Beach

During our ECI input into the design of the Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant project, BPC demonstrated our commitment to sustainability by proposing to eliminate the need for a PE liner on the inlet pump station wet well elements exposed to process flow. These included the floor, walls, and precast lids.

Two main options were reviewed – a concrete admixture and the post pour application of a 25mm thick cement-based coating. The selected approach was the additive Xypex Biosan C500, which works by limiting microbial induced corrosion and improving long-term crack resistance in the concrete. It is added at the concrete batching plant, so the pour is no different to using a typical concrete mix.

Significant cost and time savings were achieved by using Biosan instead of a PE liner. BPC’s team identified and reviewed the additive with the design partner and Watercare, confirming its application through overseas case studies. To make the solution work fully, support from the designer was needed to increase the ventilation rate in the pump station and to confirm their acceptance for structural signoff. The benefit of eliminating the PE line significantly outweighed the design cost to the project.