Overview
Shellharbour Wastewater Treatment Plant in New South Wales, Australia, serves approximately 86,140 people. It is an operational facility with a designed capacity of 1.00 volume unit, discharging treated effluent into the local watershed.
Shellharbour Wastewater Treatment Plant is located in Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia, and serves a population of around 86,140. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the Shellharbour City Council area. Its designed capacity is 1.00 volume unit, reflecting its scale as a medium-to-large agglomeration. As an Australian wastewater facility, Shellharbour operates under the national regulatory framework administered by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Plants of this size are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards, with additional nutrient removal in sensitive catchments. The plant's discharge is managed to protect downstream water quality. The plant discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains to the Tasman Sea via the Pacific Ocean. The receiving environment supports diverse aquatic life and is important for coastal ecology. Shellharbour's operations are critical for maintaining water quality in the region's estuaries and nearshore marine habitats.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed that flows to the Tasman Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean. The downstream environment includes coastal estuaries and nearshore marine habitats that support diverse aquatic life, including fish and migratory birds. The region's waterways are ecologically sensitive, and the plant's treatment performance is vital for protecting these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Frequently asked questions
Shellharbour Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 51 Junction Road, Shellharbour, New South Wales, 2529, Australia, within the Shellharbour City Council area.
The plant serves approximately 86,140 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under Australian wastewater management standards.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows to the Tasman Sea via the Pacific Ocean. The discharge is regulated to protect downstream water quality and coastal ecosystems.
The plant operates under the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulations, which implement national water quality guidelines. Plants of this scale typically require secondary treatment and may need nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal waters.
For agglomerations of this size, Australian standards generally mandate secondary treatment with disinfection. In coastal areas, additional nutrient removal may be required to prevent eutrophication in receiving waters.
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