Branxton WWTW
The Branxton plant serves the communities of:
- Branxton
- East Branxton
- Greta.
It currently treats:
The Branxton plant can handle wastewater from a population equivalent to:
How it works
Branxton plant provides secondary treatment of the wastewater using the activated sludge process. The plant is designed to chemically remove phosphorus. Effluent polishing and disinfection are achieved using maturation ponds. As illustrated in the process flow diagram, the plant consists of:
- a flow distribution chamber
- manually raked bar screens
- an oxidation ditch (Pasveer Channel)
- a clarifier
- an intermittent decant extended aeration (IDEA) activated sludge tank
- a catch pond
- ferrous chloride dosing facilities
- three maturation ponds
- two sludge lagoons
- two effluent irrigated tree plantations (EITPs).
How is the treated effluent used?
Recycled water from Branxton plant is used to irrigate:
- two onsite woodlots (effluent irrigated tree plantations) – these woodlots take up to 690 kilolitres a day
- a nearby farm and golf course.
In addition, the maturation ponds are used as an effluent storage for reuse customers, enabling a total reuse flow of up to 4 Megalitres per day during summer. As effluent is used for irrigation, demands for effluent can be much lower during winter (due to increased rain and lower temperatures). Unused effluent is discharged to Anvil Creek via artificial wetlands.
The sludge lagoons are typically dewatered approximately once every three years and the biosolids produced are beneficially used for mine site rehabilitation or agricultural pasture improvement.