Overview
Tanilba Bay wastewater treatment plant serves 13,518 people in New South Wales, Australia. It is located near Lemon Tree Passage and discharges into the local coastal environment.
Tanilba Bay wastewater treatment plant is an operational facility located on Oyster Farm Road in Lemon Tree Passage, within the Port Stephens Council area of New South Wales, Australia. The plant serves a population of approximately 13,518 residents, making it a medium-sized municipal treatment facility in this coastal region. As an Australian plant, it operates under state and national environmental regulations, including the New South Wales Protection of the Environment Operations Act and the Australian Water Quality Guidelines. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local waterways that flow into the Tasman Sea, part of the South Pacific Ocean. The surrounding Port Stephens area is ecologically significant, supporting diverse marine life, seagrass beds, and migratory bird populations. Proper treatment is essential to protect these sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Port Stephens estuary system, which connects to the Tasman Sea in the South Pacific Ocean. This coastal environment supports seagrass meadows, mangroves, and diverse marine species, including dolphins and sea turtles. The area is also an important migratory corridor for shorebirds. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to maintain water quality and protect these habitats from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Oyster Farm Road in Lemon Tree Passage, within the Port Stephens Council area of New South Wales, Australia.
The plant serves approximately 13,518 people in the Tanilba Bay and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local waterways that flow into the Port Stephens estuary and ultimately the Tasman Sea.
The plant operates under New South Wales state regulations, including the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, and must comply with Australian water quality guidelines for coastal discharge.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like this, secondary treatment is typically required to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge into sensitive coastal environments.
Nearby plants