Overview
Bowen wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 9,700 people in Queensland, Australia. The facility is located near the coast and discharges treated effluent into the local environment.
The Bowen wastewater treatment plant is a municipal facility located in Bowen, Queensland, Australia, serving a population of around 9,700 residents. It is situated on Peter Wyche Drive within the Whitsunday Regional Council area. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing the region's wastewater. As an Australian treatment facility, it operates under the national regulatory framework, including the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Water Act 2000, which set standards for effluent quality and environmental protection. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typical, and the facility's designed capacity is 1.00 million liters per day, indicating it is sized to handle the local population's wastewater. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, which ultimately drains into the Coral Sea via nearby creeks and the Don River system. The receiving waters support diverse marine life, including seagrass beds and coral reefs, making effective treatment essential for protecting downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The Bowen plant discharges into the coastal watershed of the Coral Sea, a globally significant marine ecosystem. The area supports diverse aquatic life, including seagrass meadows and coral reefs, which are sensitive to nutrient and pollutant loads. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its effluent can influence nearshore water quality, highlighting the importance of proper treatment to protect marine biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Peter Wyche Drive in Bowen, Queensland, Australia, within the Whitsunday Regional Council area.
The plant serves approximately 9,700 residents in the Bowen area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, eventually reaching the Coral Sea via nearby creeks and the Don River system.
The plant operates under Queensland's Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Water Act 2000, which set effluent quality standards and require environmental monitoring.
For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is standard, often involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge.
Nearby plants