Overview
Coolgardie wastewater treatment plant in Western Australia serves a small population of 501 with secondary treatment. It discharges 129.60 megalitres annually into the local environment.
Coolgardie wastewater treatment plant is located along Great Eastern Highway in Coolgardie, Western Australia, serving the local community. The plant provides secondary treatment for a population of approximately 500 residents, reflecting its role as a small-scale municipal facility in a semi-arid region. As a secondary treatment plant, Coolgardie meets the standard requirements for inland facilities under Australian wastewater regulations. Australian guidelines for small communities emphasize effective nutrient removal and pathogen reduction to protect local water resources. The treated effluent from Coolgardie likely infiltrates or evaporates in the surrounding arid landscape, as no specific receiving water body is identified. The region is part of the Western Australian Goldfields, where water resources are scarce and sensitive to contamination. Proper wastewater management is critical to safeguarding local groundwater and ephemeral streams that support native flora and fauna.
Environmental context
Coolgardie lies in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, a semi-arid area with ephemeral drainage systems. The plant's discharge likely percolates into local groundwater or evaporates, as no permanent river or lake is nearby. Downstream, any surface flow would eventually reach the interior drainage basin of Lake Lefroy or similar salt lakes, which are ecologically sensitive habitats for migratory birds and endemic species. Protecting these fragile ecosystems from nutrient loading is essential.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Great Eastern Highway in Coolgardie, Shire of Coolgardie, Western Australia, 6429.
The plant serves a population of 501 residents in the Coolgardie area.
The plant discharges 129.60 megalitres of treated effluent annually. In the arid Goldfields region, the effluent likely infiltrates into the ground or evaporates, with no direct discharge to a permanent water body.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard for small communities in Australia. This typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
Australian wastewater treatment plants are regulated under state and national guidelines, including the National Water Quality Management Strategy. For small plants like Coolgardie, secondary treatment is typical to protect local groundwater and ephemeral waterways.
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