Clunes Wastewater Treatment Plant, Victoria | Secondary Treatment for Small Community

Clunes wastewater treatment plant is located on Glengower Road in Clunes, Victoria, within the Shire of Hepburn. This operational facility serves a small population of approximately 1,978 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and contributes to the local wastewater management infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Australian wastewater regulations for communities of this size. Secondary treatment effectively removes organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring that the treated effluent meets environmental standards before discharge. The plant processes an annual discharge volume of 511.80 megalitres, indicating consistent operation. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local catchment, which ultimately drains into the Loddon River system and then into the Murray-Darling Basin, one of Australia's most significant river systems. This basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural activities downstream. The plant's operation helps protect water quality in this important watershed.

The plant discharges into the Loddon River catchment, part of the Murray-Darling Basin, which flows into the Southern Ocean via the Murray Mouth. The basin supports a range of aquatic life, including native fish species and waterbirds, and is ecologically sensitive due to drought and water extraction pressures.