Queenstown Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lukhanji Local Municipality, Eastern Cape

The Queenstown wastewater treatment plant is located in Lukhanji Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa, serving a population of approximately 111,012. It is situated near the town of Komani and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the region. Under South Africa's water regulatory framework, plants serving populations over 100,000 are typically required to provide secondary treatment or higher to protect water quality. It operates within the national permitting system overseen by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The plant discharges treated effluent into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Great Fish River system, which flows into the Indian Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for downstream communities and agriculture.

The Queenstown plant discharges into the Komani River, a tributary of the Great Fish River, which flows into the Indian Ocean near Port Alfred. The Great Fish River system supports a variety of fish species and is an important water source for irrigation and domestic use in the Eastern Cape. Protecting water quality in this watershed is critical for maintaining ecological balance and human health.