Overview
Atherton wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Atherton, Queensland, Australia. It is an operational facility treating wastewater from a population of approximately 9,878.
The Atherton wastewater treatment plant is located in the Tablelands Region of Queensland, Australia, serving the town of Atherton and surrounding areas. The plant is operational and handles wastewater from a population of about 9,878 residents, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category. As an Australian facility, the plant operates under the national regulatory framework administered by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Treatment standards are guided by the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008, which set discharge quality requirements to protect receiving environments. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that form part of the Barron River catchment, which flows into the Coral Sea. This region supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is important for downstream water quality in the Wet Tropics area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Barron River catchment, which flows into the Coral Sea. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life, including species dependent on good water quality. The region's tropical climate means seasonal rainfall can affect runoff and treatment demands, making consistent treatment important for downstream ecological health.
Frequently asked questions
The Atherton wastewater treatment plant is located in Atherton, Queensland, Australia, on the Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail in the Bulky Retail Precinct.
The plant serves approximately 9,878 people in the town of Atherton and surrounding areas in the Tablelands Region.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways within the Barron River catchment, which ultimately flows into the Coral Sea.
The plant operates under Queensland's environmental regulations, including the Environmental Protection Act 1994, which sets discharge standards to protect water quality.
For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is standard, often with nutrient removal to meet discharge limits for sensitive catchments like the Barron River.
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