Overview
Southern Cross wastewater treatment plant in Western Australia serves 832 people with secondary treatment. The facility discharges 215.19 megalitres annually, supporting the local community in the Shire of Yilgarn.
The Southern Cross wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Southern Cross, Western Australia, within the Shire of Yilgarn. It serves a population of 832 and operates under Australian wastewater management standards, providing secondary treatment to municipal sewage. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant removes organic matter and suspended solids through biological processes. The plant's discharge volume of 215.19 megalitres per year indicates it is sized appropriately for the small population it serves. Australian regulations require such plants to meet state-level environmental protection standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, contributing to the region's water cycle. The plant plays a key role in protecting groundwater and surface water quality in this semi-arid area of Western Australia, where water resources are particularly valuable for both ecological and human uses.
Environmental context
The Southern Cross plant discharges into the inland drainage system of Western Australia's Goldfields region, which ultimately flows into salt lakes such as Lake Deborah. This watershed supports unique arid-zone ecosystems adapted to ephemeral water bodies. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect these sensitive environments from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Koolyanobbing - Southern Cross Road in Southern Cross, within the Shire of Yilgarn, Western Australia, Australia.
The plant serves a population of 832 people in the Southern Cross area.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to break down organic matter and remove suspended solids before discharge.
The plant operates under Australian state and federal environmental regulations, including the Western Australian Environmental Protection Act, which sets discharge standards to protect water quality.
For small agglomerations like Southern Cross (under 1,000 people), secondary treatment is standard, with effluent quality monitored to meet local environmental guidelines.
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