Overview
Horrocks wastewater treatment plant in Western Australia serves a small coastal community with secondary treatment, discharging treated effluent into the local environment near Sandy Gully.
Horrocks wastewater treatment plant is located in the small coastal town of Horrocks, Western Australia, within the Shire of Northampton. The facility serves a population of approximately 196 residents and operates under secondary treatment standards, typical for small communities in Australia. The plant's treatment process is secondary, which involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. As a small-scale facility, it is designed to meet the environmental requirements set by the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, which oversees wastewater discharges to protect local waterways and the marine environment. The treated effluent is discharged into Sandy Gully, a coastal drainage feature that flows into the Indian Ocean. The surrounding area is ecologically sensitive, supporting coastal heath and marine habitats. The plant's operation is crucial for maintaining water quality in the local watershed and preventing nutrient pollution in the nearshore marine environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into Sandy Gully, which drains into the Indian Ocean along the Western Australian coast. This region is part of a semi-arid coastal zone with limited freshwater inputs, making the local marine environment sensitive to nutrient loading. The discharge supports baseflow in the gully but requires careful management to avoid algal blooms and protect seagrass meadows and fish habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Horrocks, Western Australia, near Sandy Gully, within the Shire of Northampton.
The plant serves approximately 196 residents in the small coastal community of Horrocks.
The plant discharges treated effluent into Sandy Gully, a coastal drainage feature that flows into the Indian Ocean.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
The plant operates under Western Australian state regulations, which require wastewater treatment to protect coastal and marine environments. Small communities like Horrocks typically use secondary treatment to meet these standards.
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