Overview
Burringbar wastewater treatment plant in New South Wales, Australia, is under construction and will serve 2,358 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 610.22 megalitres annually near the coast.
Burringbar wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Burringbar, New South Wales, Australia, within the Tweed Shire Council area. The plant is currently under construction and is designed to serve a population of 2,358, reflecting the needs of this small rural community. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant will provide biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting typical Australian standards for inland and coastal discharges. The plant's scale aligns with small agglomerations that often utilize aerated lagoons or similar technologies. The plant discharges treated wastewater at a volume of 610.22 megalitres per year. Its proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means the effluent likely enters a coastal catchment, potentially flowing into the Pacific Ocean via local creeks or estuaries. This requires careful management to protect sensitive marine ecosystems and comply with state environmental regulations.
Environmental context
The plant is situated near the coast of New South Wales, within the Tweed River catchment. Treated effluent likely discharges into Cudgera Creek or a nearby waterway, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The coastal environment supports diverse marine life, including seagrass beds and estuarine habitats, making nutrient and pathogen control critical to prevent algal blooms and protect aquatic biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The Burringbar wastewater treatment plant is located on Cudgera Creek Road in Burringbar, New South Wales, Australia, within the Tweed Shire Council area.
The plant is designed to serve a population of 2,358 people, representing the small rural community of Burringbar and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated wastewater at a volume of 610.22 megalitres per year. Given its coastal proximity, the effluent likely enters a local creek or estuary that flows into the Pacific Ocean.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting standard Australian requirements for coastal discharges.
Australian wastewater treatment plants operate under state-based environmental protection regulations, such as the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act. Secondary treatment is typical for small coastal plants to protect marine ecosystems.
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