McGraths Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sydney, New South Wales

McGraths Hill wastewater treatment plant is located in the Sydney suburb of McGraths Hill, within the Hawkesbury City Council area of New South Wales, Australia. The plant serves a population of approximately 21,841 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal facility. As an Australian plant, it operates under the regulatory framework of the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the national Water Act 2007. For a facility of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with potential nutrient removal if discharging to sensitive waters. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million liters per day, indicating it is sized to handle the local community's wastewater. The treated effluent from McGraths Hill is discharged into the Hawkesbury River system, which flows into the Tasman Sea. The Hawkesbury River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting this waterway from untreated sewage and maintaining water quality for downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Hawkesbury River, which flows into Broken Bay and then the Tasman Sea. The river supports diverse aquatic life, including fish and waterbirds, and is an important migratory corridor. Protecting water quality is critical for the health of the downstream estuary and marine environment.