Overview
Bolivar wastewater treatment plant serves Adelaide, South Australia, with a population equivalent of 139,643. It is located near St Kilda and operates under Australian regulatory standards.
Bolivar wastewater treatment plant is a major facility serving the Adelaide metropolitan area in South Australia. Located near St Kilda, it handles wastewater from a population equivalent of approximately 140,000 people, making it a large-scale treatment facility within the region. As an operational plant, Bolivar is subject to Australia's national wastewater management guidelines and state-level environmental protection regulations. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with potential for nutrient removal to protect sensitive receiving environments. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar unit), indicating substantial infrastructure. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Gulf St Vincent, a marine environment that supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological area. The surrounding watershed includes urban runoff from Adelaide and agricultural areas, making effective treatment critical for maintaining water quality in the gulf and protecting downstream marine ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into Gulf St Vincent, a marine embayment connected to the Southern Ocean. This coastal environment supports seagrass meadows, mangroves, and diverse marine fauna, including migratory bird species. Effective nutrient removal is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect the ecological health of the gulf, which also supports local fisheries and recreation.
Frequently asked questions
Bolivar wastewater treatment plant is located near St Kilda, in the City of Salisbury, South Australia, approximately 20 km north of Adelaide's city center.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 139,643 people, covering a significant portion of Adelaide's northern suburbs.
The plant discharges treated effluent into Gulf St Vincent, a marine embayment of the Southern Ocean, via an ocean outfall.
The plant operates under Australia's National Water Quality Management Strategy and the Environment Protection Act 1993 (South Australia), with discharge licenses issued by the EPA South Australia.
For a plant of this scale in Australia, secondary treatment with nutrient removal is standard, often including biological nutrient removal to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus before marine discharge.
Nearby plants