Overview
Finger Point wastewater treatment plant in Port MacDonnell, South Australia, serves 646 people with secondary treatment. It discharges treated wastewater near the coast, supporting local environmental health.
Finger Point wastewater treatment plant is located in Port MacDonnell, a coastal town in South Australia, within the District Council of Grant. The plant serves a small population of 646 residents and operates under Australian wastewater management standards. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its scale and typical for small coastal communities in Australia. The plant's discharge volume of 167.22 units indicates consistent operation. Australian regulations, such as the National Water Quality Management Strategy, guide treatment requirements to protect receiving environments. The treated effluent is discharged into the local coastal environment, likely into the Southern Ocean via nearby waterways. This discharge must meet strict water quality criteria to safeguard marine ecosystems, including seagrass beds and fish habitats. The plant plays a vital role in preventing untreated sewage from entering the ocean, thereby supporting biodiversity and recreational water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Southern Ocean, a nutrient-poor marine environment that supports diverse marine life, including southern rock lobster and abalone. The local watershed includes small coastal streams that drain into the ocean, and the area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to the Great Australian Bight. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect seagrass meadows and fish breeding grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Finger Point wastewater treatment plant is located in Port MacDonnell, a coastal town in the District Council of Grant, South Australia, Australia.
The plant serves a small community of 646 residents in Port MacDonnell and surrounding areas.
The plant provides secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent into the local coastal environment, likely into the Southern Ocean via nearby drainage.
The plant operates under Australian wastewater management standards, including the National Water Quality Management Strategy, which sets guidelines for effluent quality to protect coastal ecosystems.
For small coastal communities in Australia, secondary treatment is standard, often using lagoon or activated sludge systems, with disinfection to meet recreational water quality standards.
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