Overview
Kawana wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 95,000 people in Sunshine Coast Regional, Queensland, Australia. It is an operational facility located near the coast.
Kawana wastewater treatment plant is located in the Sunshine Coast Regional area of Queensland, Australia, serving a population of around 94,668. The plant is situated near the coast, reflecting the region's growing urban and residential development. As an operational facility, it plays a key role in managing wastewater for this coastal community. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar unit), indicating a substantial infrastructure. Under Australian regulatory frameworks, wastewater treatment plants are subject to state-level environmental protection laws, including the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Queensland). For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with potential for nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal waters. The treated effluent from Kawana likely discharges into local waterways that flow into the Coral Sea, part of the South Pacific Ocean. The receiving environment includes coastal ecosystems such as estuaries and marine habitats that support diverse aquatic life. The plant's operation is critical for maintaining water quality in the region's popular beaches and waterways, which are important for tourism and recreation.
Environmental context
The Kawana plant discharges into the local catchment that drains to the Coral Sea, a biodiverse marine environment. The coastal waters support seagrass beds, coral reefs, and fish populations. Effective treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution that could lead to algal blooms and degrade these sensitive ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The Kawana wastewater treatment plant is located in Birtinya, within the Sunshine Coast Regional area of Queensland, Australia, near the Kawana Forest River Trail.
The plant serves approximately 94,668 people, making it a medium-to-large agglomeration in the Australian context.
The treated effluent is likely discharged into local waterways that flow to the Coral Sea, given the plant's proximity to the coast.
The plant operates under Queensland's Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019, which set discharge standards for nutrients and other pollutants to protect coastal waters.
For a plant of this scale in a coastal area, secondary treatment with nutrient removal is typical to meet strict discharge limits and protect sensitive marine environments.
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