Overview
Upper Yarra wastewater treatment plant serves 15,129 people in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is an operational facility located in the Yarra Ranges, discharging treated effluent into the local watershed.
The Upper Yarra wastewater treatment plant is located in Launching Place, within the Shire of Yarra Ranges, approximately 50 km east of Melbourne, Victoria. The facility serves a population of 15,129 and is classified as a medium-sized agglomeration under Australian regulatory frameworks. As an operational plant in Victoria, it is subject to the state's Environment Protection Act and the EPA Victoria's discharge license requirements. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is standard, with additional nutrient removal expected in sensitive catchment areas like the Yarra River basin. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Yarra River catchment, which flows through the Yarra Valley and into Port Phillip Bay. This waterway supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical water source for Melbourne, making effective treatment essential for downstream ecosystem health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Yarra River catchment, which flows through the Yarra Valley and ultimately into Port Phillip Bay. The Yarra River supports a variety of native fish species and provides habitat for platypus and waterbirds. The catchment is ecologically sensitive due to its role in Melbourne's water supply and its proximity to urban and agricultural areas.
Frequently asked questions
The Upper Yarra wastewater treatment plant is located at Dalry Road, Launching Place, in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, approximately 50 km east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
The plant serves a population of 15,129 people in the Upper Yarra region of Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Yarra River catchment, which flows through the Yarra Valley and into Port Phillip Bay.
The plant operates under Victoria's Environment Protection Act and is subject to EPA Victoria discharge licenses, which require secondary treatment and nutrient management for sensitive catchments.
For medium-sized agglomerations in Australia, secondary treatment is standard, often with additional nutrient removal to protect receiving waters, especially in catchments like the Yarra River.
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