Overview
Hawks Nest wastewater treatment plant in New South Wales, Australia, serves a small coastal community with advanced treatment, discharging treated effluent near the Myall River system.
Hawks Nest wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Hawks Nest, New South Wales, Australia, within the Mid-Coast Council area. The facility serves a population of approximately 3,846 residents, reflecting its role in a small coastal community. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, exceeding the secondary treatment standard commonly required for coastal discharges. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, which enforces strict discharge standards to protect sensitive coastal environments. Treated wastewater from the plant is discharged into the Myall River system, which flows into Port Stephens and ultimately the Tasman Sea. This coastal watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including seagrass beds and migratory fish species, making the plant's advanced treatment critical for maintaining downstream water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Myall River catchment, which drains into Port Stephens, a large estuarine system, and then into the Tasman Sea. This coastal watershed supports seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and important fisheries. The advanced treatment level helps protect these sensitive ecosystems from nutrient enrichment and pathogen contamination.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Michael Rowe Walk, Hawks Nest, New South Wales, 2324, Australia, within the Mid-Coast Council area.
The plant serves approximately 3,846 residents of Hawks Nest and surrounding areas.
The plant uses advanced treatment processes and discharges treated effluent into the Myall River system, which flows into Port Stephens and the Tasman Sea.
The plant operates under the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, which enforces discharge licenses under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.
For small coastal plants like Hawks Nest, advanced or tertiary treatment is often required to protect sensitive marine environments, exceeding the secondary standard.
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