Overview
Gununa wastewater treatment plant serves the remote community of Mornington Island in Queensland, Australia. It provides secondary treatment for a population of 1,131 and discharges treated effluent near the coast.
Gununa wastewater treatment plant is located on Mornington Island in the Wellesley Islands, Queensland, Australia, serving the small community of Gununa. The plant provides secondary treatment for a population of 1,131, typical for remote Australian communities where basic treatment is essential to protect sensitive coastal environments. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant meets the standard required under Australian wastewater regulations for small communities. The plant discharges approximately 292.57 megalitres of treated wastewater annually, with no specific permit details available in public records. Australian treatment plants of this scale are typically regulated under state-level environmental protection authorities. The plant's proximity to the coast means treated effluent enters the marine environment of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The surrounding area supports diverse marine life including seagrass beds and mangrove ecosystems, making effective wastewater treatment crucial for maintaining water quality and protecting local biodiversity.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the marine waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria, a large shallow sea that supports important fisheries and marine habitats. The nearby coastal zone includes mangrove forests and seagrass meadows that provide nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans. Effective treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the ecological health of this sensitive marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Mornington Island in the Wellesley Islands, Queensland, Australia, near the Gununa community and the local airport.
The plant serves a population of approximately 1,131 people, which is the entire community of Gununa on Mornington Island.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the coastal waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria, as it is located within 10 km of the coast.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for small Australian communities to protect environmental and public health.
Australian wastewater treatment is regulated at the state level, with Queensland's Department of Environment and Science overseeing permits. For small remote communities like Gununa, secondary treatment is typical to meet water quality guidelines for coastal discharge.
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