West Ballina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ballina, New South Wales

West Ballina wastewater treatment plant is located in Ballina, New South Wales, Australia, serving a population of around 13,500. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the Ballina Shire Council area. As a facility in a coastal region, it contributes to protecting the local environment and public health. The plant operates under Australia's regulatory framework for wastewater treatment, which includes state-level environmental protection licenses. For a community of this size, secondary treatment is typically required to meet water quality standards before discharge. The designed capacity of the plant is 1.00 million liters per day, indicating it is sized to handle the local population's wastewater. The treated effluent is discharged into the Richmond River catchment, which flows into the Pacific Ocean near Ballina. This coastal discharge requires careful management to protect marine ecosystems, including nearby beaches and estuaries that support diverse aquatic life and recreational activities.

The plant discharges into the Richmond River catchment, which flows into the Pacific Ocean near Ballina. The downstream environment includes estuarine habitats and coastal waters that support fish, birds, and other wildlife. Protecting water quality in this area is important for maintaining healthy ecosystems and recreational uses such as swimming and fishing.