Hat Head Wastewater Treatment Plant - Coastal NSW Community Facility

Hat Head wastewater treatment plant is located on Hungry Road in the coastal village of Hat Head, within the Kempsey Shire Council area of New South Wales, Australia. The plant serves a small population of 588 residents, reflecting its role in a rural coastal setting. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Australian wastewater regulations for small communities. The plant's discharge volume of 152.22 megalitres per year indicates consistent operation. As a coastal facility within 10 km of the ocean, it must meet stringent environmental standards to protect marine water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the local coastal environment, ultimately reaching the Tasman Sea. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding the nearby Hat Head National Park and the sensitive dune and estuarine ecosystems along this stretch of the New South Wales coast.

The plant discharges into the coastal waters of the Tasman Sea near Hat Head, New South Wales. The area features sensitive dune systems, estuaries, and marine habitats that support diverse aquatic life, including migratory shorebirds and fish species. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pathogen loads, protecting the ecological health of the surrounding coastal environment.