ACT wastewater treatment

In Canberra, the main sewage treatment plant is the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre (LMWQCC) where sewage is treated and released into the Molonglo River. It then flows into the Murrumbidgee River and drains into the Murray-Darling Basin river system, ultimately discharging into the ocean south of Adelaide.

Water leaving this plant has been thoroughly treated, so it returns to the natural water cycle free of pollution and can be reused by other towns further downstream.

The treatment process

Full treatment of sewage in the ACT involves eight steps as follows.

1. Removal of large objects
2. Primary treatment
3. Removal of ammonia
4. Secondary clarification
5. Filtration
6. Chlorination
7. Treatment of sludge and scum
8. Discharge of effluent into the Molonglo river