Overview
Port Wakefield wastewater treatment plant in South Australia serves 869 people with secondary treatment. It discharges treated effluent near the coast, supporting local environmental health.
Port Wakefield wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Port Wakefield, South Australia, within the Wakefield Regional Council area. It serves a small population of 869 residents, providing essential sanitation services to this rural coastal community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its small scale. Under Australian regulatory frameworks, smaller plants like this are typically designed to meet state-level discharge standards that protect receiving water quality. The plant's discharge volume is approximately 225 megalitres per year. The treated wastewater is released into the local environment, which ultimately drains to the Gulf St Vincent via the Wakefield River system. This coastal discharge requires careful management to protect marine ecosystems, including seagrass beds and fish habitats that are ecologically sensitive in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Wakefield River catchment, which flows into the Gulf St Vincent, a marine embayment of the Southern Ocean. The gulf supports diverse aquatic life, including seagrass meadows and migratory bird populations. As a coastal plant within 10 km of the shore, its secondary-treated effluent must meet strict nutrient limits to prevent algal blooms and protect downstream estuarine and marine habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Port Wakefield - Auburn Road in Port Wakefield, South Australia, within the Wakefield Regional Council area.
The plant serves approximately 869 residents of Port Wakefield and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local environment, which flows into the Wakefield River system and ultimately reaches the Gulf St Vincent.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is standard for small Australian communities and ensures compliance with state environmental protection regulations.
Australian wastewater treatment plants are regulated under state-based environmental protection acts. For South Australia, the EPA sets discharge limits to protect coastal and inland waters, with secondary treatment being typical for plants of this scale.
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