Hammerstone’s Modular Wastewater Treatment System (WTS) provides containerised, automated wastewater treatment for remote camps, deployed operations and infrastructure-limited environments.
Two system configurations — 20ft and 40ft — use proven Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology to treat domestic wastewater with minimal operator intervention, minimal site preparation and minimal reliance on external logistics support. Field-proven across deployments in support of the Australian Army, including the AACAP program.
Remote and expeditionary operations require sanitation infrastructure. Conventional wastewater treatment plants require site works, specialist operators and external logistics support — none of which are available at the forward edge. Without a deployable alternative, organisations face a choice between inadequate sanitation and expensive, fragile dependency on external contractors.
The consequences are predictable:
Hammerstone WTS solutions treat domestic wastewater generated by temporary camps and remote facilities, converting sewage into treated effluent suitable for safe disposal through controlled irrigation.
Using proven Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology, the system automatically manages the biological treatment process through controlled treatment cycles. Integrated tanks, pumps and automated control systems ensure wastewater is treated safely and reliably with minimal operator intervention.
Because the system is containerised and modular, it can be transported using standard logistics platforms and rapidly installed in locations where permanent infrastructure does not exist.
Hammerstone’s WTS has been delivered and sustained in support of the Australian Army across four deployments — including three Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) operations —from 2019 to 2026.
Hammerstone WTS solutions support organisations operating in remote or temporary locations, including:
Containerised systems that can be transported by sea, air, land and rail, and installed quickly in remote locations with minimal site preparation.
Proven SBR biological treatment technology delivering consistent performance in demanding environments, with integrated automated control.
Automation and simplified operation reduce reliance on specialist operators and external logistics support, removing a key operational dependency.
Automated treatment processes, simple controls and minimal training requirements — designed for non-technical personnel to operate without specialist wastewater expertise.
Modular systems scale with your operation — from small advance parties to camps of 150+ personnel — using multiple 20ft units or integrating 20ft and 40ft systems.
Integrated RMAS (Remote Monitoring Autonomous System)provides real-time system monitoring, automated alerts and remote oversight — feeding operational data into the broader S&RL picture.
Hammerstone offers two complementary WTS configurations designed to support different phases and scales of remote operations. They are designed to be used together — the 20ft system supports early-stage and reduced-personnel operations, while the 40ft system takes the primary treatment role once a main camp is established.
| Feature | 20ft Modular WTS | 40ft Commercial WTS |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment capacity | Up to 5,000L/day (7,500L/day with auxiliary tanks) | Up to 50,000L/day |
| Personnel supported | Small advance parties and reduced-personnel camps (50-75 personnel) | Approximately 120–150 personnel |
| Primary use | Early-stage deployment, camp construction phase, advance party operations | Sustained camp operations once main camp is established |
| Treatment technology | Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) | Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) |
| Transport | Sea, air, land and rail — military and commercial vehicles | Standard 40ft Commercial logistics platforms / Contracted Logistics Support (CLS) |
| Subsystems included | Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) · Modular Sewage Pump Station (MSPS) · Modular Spray Field (MSF) · Remote Monitoring and Automation System (RMAS) · Ancillary equipment modules | WTP · Tank platform (balance & sludge) · Supporting equipment container · Pumping systems |
| Power requirement | Plug-and-play electrical socket | Wastewater inlet connection + electrical power only (plug-and-play) |
| Scalability | Multiple units can be networked; integrates with 40ft WTS | Primary treatment role in sustained operations |
01
Receives wastewater from camp infrastructure, macerates solids and transfers effluent to the treatment plant. Can operate independently or be networked with additional pump stations and compatible systems (including SaniFlow pump and macerator units) to support larger or distributed camp layouts. Sits above ground, so no digging, or permits required.
02
Containerised Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) that screens, treats and biologically processes wastewater. The automated SBR cycle manages treatment without continuous operator intervention.
03
Safely disposes treated effluent through a controlled irrigation system, eliminating the need for earthworks or connection to existing disposal infrastructure.
04
Provides system monitoring, automation and alerting — enabling command visibility and responsive logistics support. RMAS integrates with the broader S&RL operating model, generating real-time operational data on system status, treatment performance and alerts.
05
Supporting equipment packaged in modular transportable containers — enabling the full system to be transported and deployed using standard military or commercial logistics platforms.
Hammerstone systems are engineered to operate reliably in environments where technical expertise and support infrastructure may be limited.
Key design features include:
Unlike traditional treatment plants that require specialist operators, Hammerstone WTS solutions are designed to be operated by personnel with minimal technical training. Automated treatment processes, intuitive controls and remote monitoring significantly reduce manpower requirements while ensuring consistent treatment performance.
Hammerstone typically delivers the WTS as part of a Contracted Logistics Support (CLS) engagement — providing not just the system but the planning, installation, operation, maintenance and through-life support that makes it effective in sustained remote operations.
Supply, freight, commission and decommission of a 28kL wastewater treatment plant for a 4-month AACAP deployment in Jigalong, Western Australia. Hammerstone’s first operational WTS deployment.
Provision, installation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant for 17 Construction Squadron in support of AACAP 2022, conducted in Gapuwiyak, Northern Territory.
Provision, installation and maintenance of two wastewater treatment plants for 17 Construction Squadron in support of AACAP 2024, conducted in Amata, South Australia.
The 20ft WTS was developed under the Army Innovation Day (AID2021) program as a Defence Innovation Hub project (2022) — purpose-built for ADF expeditionary requirements. Operational performance from every deployment directly informs continuous improvement — the WTS is not a static product but a capability refined by real-world use.
A deployable wastewater treatment system is a self-contained, transportable treatment plant that can be installed rapidly in remote or temporary locations where conventional sewage infrastructure does not exist. Hammerstone’s WTS uses containerised Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology to treat domestic wastewater — including sewage, black water and grey water — to a standard safe for disposal through controlled irrigation, with minimal site preparation and without connection to permanent infrastructure.
Hammerstone offers two complementary configurations. The 20ft Modular WTS processes up to 5,000–7,500 litres per day and is designed for advance party operations and early-stage camp deployment. Multiple units can be networked for larger populations. The 40ft Commercial WTS processes up to 50,000 litres per day, supporting camps of approximately 120–150 personnel, and is designed as the primary treatment system for sustained camp operations. Both systems use the same SBR treatment technology and can be integrated with each other.
No. Hammerstone’s WTS is specifically designed to be operated by non-specialist personnel with minimal technical training. Automated treatment processes, simple operator interfaces and integrated Remote Monitoring and Automation Systems (RMAS) manage the treatment cycle with limited manual intervention. RMAS provides real-time monitoring and automated alerts, enabling both on-site personnel and remote commanders to maintain visibility of system status and act early if issues arise.
Hammerstone has delivered WTS systems across four ADF deployments: Jigalong, Western Australia (2019); Gapuwiyak, Northern Territory (2022); and Amata, South Australia (2024). All deployments were conducted in support of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP), in remote communities with limited infrastructure. Operational experience from each deployment has directly informed system improvements.
Hammerstone typically delivers the WTS as part of a Contracted Logistics Support (CLS) engagement — taking responsibility not just for supply of the system but for planning, installation, operation, maintenance and through-life support. This means customers can deploy with confidence that the system will be operational and sustained throughout the engagement, without needing to manage the logistics themselves. Hammerstone’s CLS services are tailored to each deployment and can cover anything from targeted technical support to full end-to-end logistics responsibility.
