Lake Cargelligo Wastewater Treatment Plant, New South Wales

Lake Cargelligo wastewater treatment plant serves the small community of Lake Cargelligo in New South Wales, Australia. Located in the Lachlan Shire Council area, the plant provides secondary treatment for a population of approximately 1,358 residents. The facility is situated inland, far from the coast, and plays a key role in managing local wastewater. The plant operates under Australia's national regulatory framework for wastewater treatment, which requires secondary treatment for inland communities of this size. With a discharge volume of 351.48 megalitres per year, the facility meets the treatment standards expected for small agglomerations under state and national guidelines. The treatment process ensures that effluent quality protects the receiving environment. The treated wastewater is discharged into the Lachlan River catchment, which flows into the Murrumbidgee River and eventually the Murray River system. This catchment supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for agriculture and ecosystems in the region. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this sensitive inland basin.

The plant discharges into the Lachlan River catchment, part of the Murray-Darling Basin, one of Australia's most significant river systems. The Lachlan River flows into the Murrumbidgee River, which joins the Murray River, ultimately reaching the Southern Ocean. This catchment supports a range of aquatic species and is vital for irrigation and regional biodiversity. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive basin.