Coraki Wastewater Treatment Plant, New South Wales | Secondary Treatment for Small Community

The Coraki wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Coraki, New South Wales, Australia, within the Richmond Valley Council area. It serves a population of approximately 2,500 residents and operates as a secondary treatment facility, which is typical for small inland communities in Australia. As a secondary treatment plant, Coraki uses biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting the standards set by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act. The plant's discharge volume is around 641 megalitres per year, reflecting the scale of the community it serves. The treated effluent is released into the local catchment, which drains into the Richmond River. This river flows through the Northern Rivers region and eventually reaches the Tasman Sea near Ballina. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Richmond River, which supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is used for recreation and agriculture.

The Coraki plant discharges into the Richmond River catchment, a major coastal river system in northern New South Wales. The river flows through agricultural and forested areas before emptying into the Tasman Sea. The downstream environment includes wetlands and estuarine habitats that support fish, birds, and other wildlife. Protecting water quality in this catchment is important for maintaining the ecological health of the Richmond River and its floodplain ecosystems.