Coolum Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sunshine Coast Regional, Queensland

Coolum wastewater treatment plant is located on Marsh Road in Coolum Beach, part of the Sunshine Coast Regional area in Queensland, Australia. The facility serves a population of around 19,200 residents, making it a medium-sized municipal plant in a coastal region. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing wastewater for this growing community. As an Australian wastewater facility, Coolum operates under the regulatory framework of the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and the Australian government's National Water Quality Management Strategy. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal in sensitive coastal areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 megalitres per day, indicating its capacity to handle the local wastewater load. The treated effluent from Coolum is discharged into the local drainage system, which ultimately flows into the Coral Sea via the Maroochy River or nearby coastal waters. This discharge supports the health of downstream ecosystems, including estuaries and marine habitats that are important for biodiversity and recreational use. The plant's coastal location means its operations are closely tied to the protection of Queensland's sensitive coastal environment.

Coolum plant discharges into the Maroochy River catchment, which flows into the Coral Sea near the Sunshine Coast. The downstream environment includes estuarine and marine habitats that support diverse aquatic life, including fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds. The region's coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, requiring careful management of nutrient and pathogen loads to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality for tourism and recreation.