Overview
Douglas wastewater treatment plant serves Townsville, Queensland, Australia, with a designed capacity of 1.00 ML/day. It operates under Australian regulatory standards for municipal wastewater treatment.
The Douglas wastewater treatment plant is located in the suburb of Douglas, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It serves a population of approximately 53,974 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration in the region. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the Townsville area. The plant operates under Australia's regulatory framework for wastewater treatment, which typically requires secondary treatment for inland discharges. The designed capacity of 1.00 ML/day suggests the facility is sized to handle the local population's wastewater load. Australian standards, aligned with the National Water Quality Management Strategy, guide effluent quality and environmental protection. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Coral Sea via the Ross River or nearby coastal waters. The receiving environment supports diverse marine and estuarine ecosystems, including seagrass beds and coral reefs, making proper treatment essential for ecological health. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores the importance of managing nutrient and pathogen loads to protect downstream marine habitats.
Environmental context
The Douglas plant discharges into the Ross River catchment, which flows into Cleveland Bay and the Coral Sea. This coastal environment supports sensitive marine ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and fringing coral reefs, which are vulnerable to nutrient enrichment and pollutants. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to maintaining water quality in this ecologically significant area, which also serves as habitat for dugongs and sea turtles.
Frequently asked questions
The Douglas wastewater treatment plant is located on Angus Smith Drive in the suburb of Douglas, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
The plant serves approximately 53,974 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Australian wastewater management standards.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Ross River catchment, which flows into Cleveland Bay and ultimately the Coral Sea, supporting coastal marine ecosystems.
The plant operates under Australia's National Water Quality Management Strategy and state-level regulations from Queensland, which mandate treatment standards to protect receiving waters.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like Douglas, secondary treatment is standard, often with nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal environments, in line with Australian guidelines.
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