Overview
Wiluna wastewater treatment plant serves the remote community of Wiluna in Western Australia. It provides secondary treatment for a small population of 167 residents.
The Wiluna wastewater treatment plant is located in the remote town of Wiluna in Western Australia's Goldfields region. It serves a small population of 167 people, reflecting the sparse settlement of this arid interior area. The plant is operated as part of the Shire of Wiluna's municipal infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its scale and inland location. In Australia, wastewater treatment for small remote communities is typically managed under state environmental protection regulations, with the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation overseeing discharge standards. The plant's discharge volume is reported at 43.20 megalitres per year. The treated effluent is likely discharged to local ephemeral watercourses or used for land application, given the arid climate. The region is part of the interior drainage basin of Western Australia, with no permanent rivers nearby. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting local groundwater and soil from contamination in this sensitive desert environment.
Environmental context
Wiluna lies in the arid interior of Western Australia, within the Murchison bioregion. The nearest permanent water bodies are distant, and local drainage is ephemeral, flowing only after rare rainfall events. The plant's discharge must be carefully managed to avoid salinization or contamination of shallow aquifers, which are vital for the town's water supply. Downstream, any overflow would eventually reach Lake Austin or Lake Way, ephemeral salt lakes that are ecologically sensitive habitats for migratory birds.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Goldfields Highway in Sir Samuel, Wiluna, within the Shire of Wiluna, Western Australia, Australia.
The plant serves a small population of 167 residents in the remote town of Wiluna.
Given the arid climate and lack of permanent rivers, treated effluent is likely discharged to ephemeral watercourses or used for land application, subject to Western Australian environmental regulations.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is standard for small remote communities in Australia and sufficient to protect local groundwater and soil.
The plant operates under Western Australian state regulations administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, which sets discharge standards for small inland facilities.
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