Overview
Port Hinchinbrook wastewater treatment plant in Cardwell, Queensland, Australia, serves 1,479 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 382.78 ML/year and is located within 10 km of the coast.
Port Hinchinbrook wastewater treatment plant is located in Cardwell, Queensland, Australia, within the Cassowary Coast Regional area. The plant serves a population of 1,479 and operates under secondary treatment, discharging treated effluent into the local environment. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant meets the standard requirements for municipal wastewater treatment in Australia, which typically involve biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's discharge volume of 382.78 ML/year reflects its scale for a small coastal community. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge ultimately reaches the Coral Sea via local creeks or estuaries. The surrounding region includes the Hinchinbrook Channel and Great Barrier Reef catchment, making proper treatment essential for protecting marine ecosystems and water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local waterways that flow into the Hinchinbrook Channel, a coastal estuary system that supports diverse aquatic life including mangroves, seagrasses, and fish species. This channel connects to the Coral Sea, part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The region's tropical climate and high rainfall influence runoff and dilution patterns, making consistent treatment important for downstream ecological health.
Frequently asked questions
Port Hinchinbrook wastewater treatment plant is located on Bruce Highway in Cardwell, Queensland, Australia, within the Cassowary Coast Regional area.
The plant serves a population of 1,479 people in the Cardwell area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Hinchinbrook Channel and eventually the Coral Sea.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level for municipal wastewater treatment in Australia, involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
The plant operates under Queensland's Environmental Protection Act and the Australian Water Quality Guidelines, which set discharge standards to protect receiving waters, especially given its coastal location near the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
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