Overview
Point Turton wastewater treatment plant in South Australia serves 685 people with secondary treatment. The coastal plant discharges treated effluent into the local marine environment.
Point Turton wastewater treatment plant is located on Neptune Court in the coastal town of Point Turton, South Australia, within the Yorke Peninsula Council area. The facility serves a small population of 685 residents, reflecting the rural and coastal character of the region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage that removes organic matter and suspended solids. As a small agglomeration, it operates under Australia's national wastewater management framework, which requires appropriate treatment to protect receiving environments. The plant's discharge volume is approximately 177 megalitres per year. The treated effluent is discharged into the marine waters of Spencer Gulf, a large embayment of the Great Australian Bight. This coastal environment supports diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. The plant's location within 10 km of the coast means its discharge directly influences local water quality and nearshore ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into Spencer Gulf, a semi-enclosed marine embayment connected to the Great Australian Bight and the Southern Ocean. The gulf supports ecologically significant seagrass habitats and is an important area for commercial and recreational fishing. Coastal discharges require careful management to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the gulf's sensitive marine communities.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Neptune Court in Point Turton, South Australia, within the Yorke Peninsula Council area, near the coast of Spencer Gulf.
The plant serves a population of 685 residents in the coastal town of Point Turton and surrounding areas.
The plant provides secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent into the marine waters of Spencer Gulf, a large embayment of the Great Australian Bight.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage that removes organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
Small coastal plants like Point Turton operate under state and national environmental regulations, including the National Water Quality Management Strategy, which sets guidelines for effluent quality to protect marine environments.
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