Heated Overland Thermal Treatment Pad (‘Hottpad’) System at the Karratha Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and Waste Transfer Station

Closed 7 Nov 2022

Opened 1 Nov 2022

Contact

6364 7000

Overview

The proposal is for the installation and operation of a Heated Overland Thermal Treatment (‘Hottpad’) system at the Karratha liquid waste treatment plant and waste transfer station located approximately 6 kilometres south-west of Karratha. 

The Hottpad is intended to treat hydrocarbon-impacted ‘sludge’ from oil and gas operations in the region, that are currently transported interstate for thermal treatment.  The proposal has a project life of 10 years and involves a self-sustaining smouldering combustion process to thermally degrade hydrocarbon contaminants. 

The system comprises:  

  • Two containerised Hottpad units  

  • An exhaust management system, including a mercury recovery unit, odour control and stack  

  • Continuous emissions monitoring system

Why your views matter

At this initial stage of the EIA process, comment is simply sought on whether or not the EPA should assess a proposal and, if so, what level of assessment is considered appropriate.

What happens next

Following the seven day public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will decide whether or not this proposal requires environmental impact assessment and, if so, what level of assessment will be applied.

The EPA's decisions on level of assessment are released each Monday on the EPA's website.

Areas

  • All of Western Australia

Audiences

  • Public

Interests

  • Seven-day comment on referrals