Overview
Burrum Heads wastewater treatment plant in Queensland, Australia, provides secondary treatment for approximately 2,960 residents. The plant discharges treated effluent into the local coastal environment near the Great Sandy Strait.
Burrum Heads wastewater treatment plant is located on Orchid Drive in the coastal town of Burrum Heads, Queensland, Australia. The facility serves a population of around 2,960 people and operates under secondary treatment standards, which is typical for smaller coastal communities in the region. The plant is situated within 10 km of the coast, and its treated effluent is discharged into the local marine environment. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the standard requirements for coastal discharge under Australian water quality guidelines, which aim to protect sensitive marine ecosystems. The receiving waters ultimately flow into the Great Sandy Strait, a large tidal passage between the mainland and Fraser Island. This area supports diverse aquatic life, including seagrass beds and fish habitats, and is an important migratory corridor for marine species. The plant's operation is regulated to minimize environmental impact on these downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Great Sandy Strait, a dynamic coastal waterway connecting to the Coral Sea. This region supports seagrass meadows, mangroves, and fish nurseries, making it ecologically sensitive. The secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads to protect these habitats from eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Orchid Drive in Burrum Heads, Queensland, Australia, within the Fraser Coast Regional area.
The plant serves approximately 2,960 residents of Burrum Heads and surrounding areas.
The plant provides secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent into the local coastal waters, which flow into the Great Sandy Strait.
The plant operates under Queensland's Environmental Protection Act and the Australian Water Quality Guidelines, which set standards for secondary treatment and coastal discharge to protect marine ecosystems.
For small coastal communities, secondary treatment is standard, often using aerated lagoons or activated sludge processes, to meet nutrient reduction requirements before ocean discharge.
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