Gundagai
Indicator: Discharge to Waters
Results for this indicator are also available for [an error occurred while processing this directive]
What the results tell us for Gundagai
Effluent generated in Gundagai Shire is treated at the Gundagai Sewage Treatment Plant. Shire Council recycles all of the sewer effluent to the surrounding golf course and local sports grounds.
The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) regulates most sewage treatment systems owned by state and local governments. DECC has licensed the plant to discharge to the surrounding locations and as such there are no limits on volume or nutrient loads are placed on the sewage treatment plant.
Gundagai reported no volumes from either the discharge from the water supply or sewage treatment plant over the reporting period. It is expected that only the backwash from the sewage treatment plant would be discharged to waters (Table 1).
Septic tanks are widely used in rural areas, as well as the more water efficient aerobic and bio-recycle systems.
| Licensed/ unlicensed |
Volume (ML/year) | Type | Estimated volume discharged illegally (L/year) | Estimated volume discharged accidentally (L/year) | Receiving waters | Mass load of nitrogen (kg) | Mass load of phosphorus (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | |||||||
| Licensed | Water Supply | Nil | Nil | Murrumbidgee River | < 1 | < 1 | |
| Licensed | Sewage | Nil | Nil | Morleys Creek | Unknown | Unknown | |
| 2005–06 | |||||||
| Licensed | Water Supply | Nil | Nil | Murrumbidgee River | < 1 | < 1 | |
| Licensed | Sewage | Nil | Nil | Morleys Creek | Unknown | Unknown | |
| 2006–07 | |||||||
| Licensed | Water Supply | Nil | Nil | Murrumbidgee River | < 1 | < 1 | |
| Licensed | Sewage | Nil | Nil | Morleys Creek | Unknown | Unknown | |
| 2007–08 | |||||||
| Licensed | Water Supply | Nil | Nil | Murrumbidgee River | < 1 | < 1 | |
| Licensed | Sewage | Nil | Nil | Morleys Creek | Unknown | Unknown | |
Source: Gundagai Council
DECC has also licensed Gundagai Meat Processors with a protection licence that has a clause relating to Abattoir Effluent Irrigation. The meat processing plant is licensed to discharge 130 KL/day. The plant’s effluent is reused to irrigate pasture and no non-compliance notes were issued in relation to exceeding the volume limits.
About the data
Information was supplied by Gundagai Shire Council. Additional information was obtained from the DECC’s public register of protection licences.
References
DECC – see Department of Environment and Climate Change
Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (2008), Public Register for Licences, Applications or Notices, Environment Protect Licence, Section 55 Protection of the Environment Operations Act, viewed at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/prpoeoapp/searchregister.aspx on 25 September 2008.
