Overview
Crystal Brook wastewater treatment plant in South Australia serves 1,580 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 408.73 ML/year into the local environment, supporting the region's water quality.
Crystal Brook wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Crystal Brook, South Australia, within the Port Pirie Regional Council area. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,580 residents, providing essential wastewater management for this rural community. The plant operates at a secondary treatment level, which is appropriate for its scale. Under Australian regulatory frameworks, smaller communities often rely on secondary treatment to meet environmental standards. The plant discharges an annual volume of 408.73 ML of treated wastewater. The treated effluent is released into the local catchment, which ultimately drains into the Spencer Gulf via the Broughton River system. This coastal discharge requires careful management to protect the marine environment and the ecological health of the gulf, which supports diverse aquatic life and important fisheries.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Broughton River catchment, which flows into the Spencer Gulf, a large marine embayment on the South Australian coast. The gulf is ecologically significant, supporting seagrass meadows, mangroves, and a variety of fish and bird species. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect these sensitive habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on The Cattle Track in Crystal Brook, South Australia, within the Port Pirie Regional Council area.
The plant serves approximately 1,580 residents in the Crystal Brook community.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local catchment, which flows into the Broughton River system and eventually reaches the Spencer Gulf.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is standard for small to medium agglomerations in Australia under national wastewater guidelines.
Australian wastewater treatment plants operate under state and national guidelines, including the National Water Quality Management Strategy. Secondary treatment is typical for plants serving communities of this size to protect downstream water quality.
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