Overview
Burra wastewater treatment plant in South Australia serves a small community of 1,048 people with secondary treatment. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways, supporting the region's water quality management.
Burra wastewater treatment plant is located in the historic town of Burra, South Australia, within the Regional Council of Goyder. It serves a small population of approximately 1,048 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is operational and provides secondary treatment, which is appropriate for a community of this scale. Secondary treatment involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting standard environmental requirements. The plant's discharge volume is recorded at 271.09 megalitres per year. As a facility in Australia, it operates under state and national regulations, including the Environment Protection Act and relevant guidelines for wastewater management. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that eventually drain into the Murray-Darling Basin, a major river system in southeastern Australia. This basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is a critical water resource for agriculture and communities. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality and ecological health.
Environmental context
The Burra wastewater treatment plant discharges into local creeks that flow into the Murray River system, part of the vast Murray-Darling Basin. This basin is ecologically significant, supporting wetlands, native fish species, and migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, mitigating the risk of algal blooms and maintaining water quality for downstream users and ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Peacock Street in Burra, South Australia, within the Regional Council of Goyder.
The plant serves a population of 1,048 people, reflecting the small rural community of Burra.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids from wastewater.
The plant operates under South Australian and national regulations, including the Environment Protection Act, which sets standards for effluent quality and discharge to protect water resources.
Small communities like Burra often use secondary treatment systems such as activated sludge or lagoons, which are cost-effective and meet regulatory requirements for inland discharge.
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