Overview
Kemerton wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 17,693 people in Western Australia, operating under Australian regulatory standards. The facility discharges into the local environment near Leschenault.
Kemerton wastewater treatment plant is located on Thampapillai Road in Leschenault, within the Shire of Harvey, Western Australia. The plant serves a population of around 17,693 and is classified as a medium-sized agglomeration under Australian wastewater management frameworks. As an operational facility, Kemerton is subject to the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) licensing, which sets discharge quality criteria to protect receiving environments. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal if discharging to sensitive water bodies. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local catchment, which ultimately drains to the Leschenault Estuary and then to the Indian Ocean. The estuary supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for waterbirds, making effective treatment essential for ecological health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Leschenault Estuary, a coastal lagoon system connected to the Indian Ocean via the Collie River mouth. This estuary provides critical habitat for fish, crustaceans, and migratory shorebirds. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and eutrophication, so treatment standards are designed to minimize ecological impact on this sensitive coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
Kemerton wastewater treatment plant is located on Thampapillai Road in Leschenault, within the Shire of Harvey, Western Australia, Australia.
The plant serves approximately 17,693 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Australian wastewater management guidelines.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local catchment, which flows into the Leschenault Estuary and eventually reaches the Indian Ocean.
The plant operates under the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) licensing, which sets discharge quality standards to protect the environment.
For a plant of this scale in Australia, secondary treatment is standard, with potential nutrient removal if discharging to sensitive water bodies like estuaries.
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