SoE2020: Volume and load of sewage treatment plants

Brief description

The annual volume and load of nutrients released from coastal sewage treatment plants into waterways in Queensland has been collected since 2010. In general, we have observed that the loads of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, are correlated with the annual volume. However, loads of nutrients in some locations have reduced in recent years despite high annual volumes and were attributed to improved treatment in these locations.

Full description

Current volume and load, and change over time of discharge from sewage treatment plants into waterways - Annual volume and load of nitrogen and phosphorous released from sewage treatment plants into waterways for the South East Queensland and Great Barrier Reef catchment areas for the period 2010–2019. Monitoring data was sourced from the department’s Water Tracking and Electronic Reporting System (WaTERS) which receives discharge monitoring data from councils and water utilities in Queensland. The data presented is for coastal sewage treatment plants that release directly to estuarine or marine water or release to locations within 10km from estuarine or marine waters.