Delivering Smarter Wastewater Treatment for Sydney’s New Fish Market

The new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay is a major redevelopment designed to create a modern, purpose-built home for Australia’s seafood industry while maintaining the character of a working fish market. Sydney Fish Market has identified the reduction of water consumption and pollution prevention as important elements of its environmental management approach.

The project has been designed with ambitious environmental objectives, including significant reductions in water consumption, energy use and operational emissions, alongside initiatives focused on waste diversion, water quality and biodiversity. Water reuse is particularly important within the new facility. Wastewater from fish processing operations is pretreated through Aerofloat’s industrial DAF system before transfer to a water reuse system for further treatment, enabling the treated water to be reused within the fish processing facilities and reducing freshwater demand.

For Aerofloat, the project offered the opportunity to contribute wastewater treatment expertise to a development where environmental performance was embedded from the outset.

Aerofloat designed and delivered two separate DAF wastewater treatment plants, each tailored to its wastewater stream.

Plant 1 – Commercial Wastewater
A 30 m³/hour DAF plant treats food court wastewater before discharge to sewer. It incorporates a 10 kL balance tank with air mixing, rotary drum screening, pH correction, chemical dosing and an Aero G-DAF dissolved air flotation system. The G-DAF is specifically modified from a traditional DAF to meet Sydney Water’s Commercial Trade Waste discharge criteria. Its smaller footprint and lower operating weight provide better spatial efficiencies for tight commercial trade waste allowances, with lower stress on supporting structures meaning no local slab reinforcement was required. The commercial DAF removes suspended solids, fats, oils and grease without the need for chemical treatment, producing a consistent effluent suitable for sewer discharge.

Plant 2 – Industrial Wastewater
A larger 75 m³/hour Aero V-DAF plant treats fish processing wastewater. It incorporates a 20 kL balance tank, flow measurement, rotary drum screening, pH correction, coagulant and polymer dosing, and a 75 m³/hour stainless-steel AEROCIRC DAF. Following DAF treatment, the wastewater progresses to a water reuse system that includes biological reactors, uF and RO treatment, producing water suitable for reuse within the fish processing facilities.

In practical terms, food court wastewater passes through screening, balancing, pH correction and DAF treatment before discharge to sewer. Fish processing wastewater passes through screening and balancing before chemical treatment and DAF separation, removing suspended solids, fats, oils and grease before entering the downstream MBR biological treatment system for water reuse.

Both systems incorporate automated PLC and HMI controls, remote monitoring, flow measurement and dedicated sludge handling. DAF float and screenings are macerated and transferred to dedicated 10 kL sludge storage tanks, with automated pump-out facilities and hot-water flushing to assist with cleaning and maintenance. The plants were designed using 3D CAD modelling to accommodate the challenging spatial constraints of the development, including areas beneath stairs and across split levels.

Aerofloat also provided commissioning, testing, operator training and operating documentation as part of project delivery, and has continued its involvement through regular onsite servicing and maintenance, together with remote support as required.

“The project is a great example of where engineering, sustainability and practical operation need to come together. We designed the systems to perform the treatment required, but also to be maintainable, accessible and supportable over the long term. Our ongoing involvement means we can continue to work alongside the Fish Markets team as the site operates and evolves,” says Michael.

The two purpose-built plants provide Sydney Fish Market with a flexible wastewater management solution matched to the very different demands of its commercial and industrial operations. The commercial plant provides effective pretreatment of food court wastewater, protecting the sewer network and supporting compliant trade waste discharge. The industrial stream provides a pathway to water reuse, reducing reliance on potable water and supporting more sustainable use of this valuable resource. Aerofloat-designed equipment also lowers operational costs through fewer chemicals and optimised processes.

Together, the systems reduce the environmental impact of wastewater generated across the site while providing reliable, automated treatment infrastructure capable of supporting the day-to-day demands of one of Australia’s most significant seafood destinations. Aerofloat is proud to have played a role in delivering the wastewater infrastructure behind the new Sydney Fish Market, combining practical engineering, advanced treatment technology and long-term operational support to help create a sustainable working marketplace for the future.

“What makes this project particularly rewarding is that the wastewater treatment is doing more than simply meeting a discharge requirement. The system forms part of a much broader sustainability strategy, helping the Fish Market recover value from its wastewater and reduce its demand for fresh water,” says Michael.