ABOUT THE CLIENT
PLATYPUS REFUGEE CENTER IN AUSTRALIA
Taronga Conservation Society Australia is a leading wildlife conservation organization, operating Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales. The Dubbo site is home to a diverse range of native and exotic species, with a strong focus on protecting locally threatened wildlife.
In response to increasing environmental pressures on the platypus, the zoo has developed the world’s largest purpose-built platypus conservation center, known as Platypus HQ. This state-of-the-art facility is designed for rescue, rehabilitation, research, and public education, providing a haven for animals affected by drought, habitat loss, and other environmental threats.
The facility can care for up to 65 platypuses, supported by an advanced network of aquatic habitats and life support systems containing a total of 500.000 liters of water.
WHAT THE CLIENT NEEDED
CONSISTENT HIGH WATER QUALITY
The Platypus HQ required a robust, adaptable, and fail-safe water treatment solution capable of maintaining consistently high water quality across a variety of operating conditions.
The facility is divided into five quarantine zones, two research areas, and a public display habitat – each with its distinct operational parameters, which set the following requirements for the water treatment system:
– Maintain optimal conditions to support the health and recovery of platypuses
– Handle variable organic loads and fluctuating flow rates
– Reduce the risk of microbial contamination
In addition to biosecurity, the system also had to be intuitive for staff to operate and maintain, ensuring smooth daily operations without compromising animal welfare.
THE SOLUTION
STATE-OF-THE-ART DISINFECTION
Working in collaboration with Fresh By Design, who designed and installed all platypus habitat and Life Support Systems (LSS) for the facility, ULTRAAQUA supplied and commissioned a multi-zone UV disinfection configuration tailored to the center’s diverse water treatment needs.
This included the following systems:
- 5x MR4-350PP
- 2x MR1-220PP
- 1x MR3-220PP
These systems were designed to deliver a 60mJ/cm² dose at 90% UVT at flow rates of up to 155.500 LPH. All units were installed with bypass capability on return lines, ensuring continuous operation during maintenance and allowing adaptive water management.
Engineered for optimal water quality and ease of use for operations staff, the UV disinfection systems form an integral component of Platypus HQ’s mission to provide the highest standards of animal care, research support, and conservation outcomes.
