Overview
Bourke wastewater treatment plant in New South Wales, Australia, serves 2,207 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 571.05 megaliters annually into the Darling River system.
Bourke wastewater treatment plant is located on Weir Road in Bourke, New South Wales, Australia. It serves a population of approximately 2,207 residents in this remote outback town. The plant is operated by the Bourke Shire Council as part of the local municipal infrastructure. The facility provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Australian wastewater regulations for inland communities of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has an annual discharge volume of 571.05 megaliters, reflecting the water demand of the local population. The treated effluent is discharged into the Darling River system, which is part of the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia's largest and most significant river system. The Darling River flows southwest to join the Murray River, eventually reaching the Southern Ocean via the Murray Mouth in South Australia. The plant's operations are subject to state environmental protection regulations to safeguard water quality in this ecologically important basin.
Environmental context
The Bourke plant discharges into the Darling River, a major tributary of the Murray-Darling Basin. This basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including native fish species and waterbirds, and is a critical water resource for agriculture and communities. The river's flow is highly variable due to Australia's arid climate, making water quality management essential for downstream environments.
Frequently asked questions
The Bourke wastewater treatment plant is located on Weir Road in Bourke, New South Wales, Australia, within the Bourke Shire Council area.
The plant serves approximately 2,207 residents of Bourke and the surrounding area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Darling River, which is part of the Murray-Darling Basin. The discharge volume is about 571 megaliters per year.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required under Australian regulations for inland communities of this size. This typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and solids.
Wastewater treatment in New South Wales is regulated by the state's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act. Plants must hold an environment protection licence that sets discharge limits to protect water quality in receiving waters like the Darling River.
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