Kearsley Wastewater Treatment Works
The Kearsley Wastewater Treatment Works serves the communities of Kearsley and Neath.
It currently treats 220 kilolitres of effluent per day and can handle wastewater from a population of up to 2,050 people.
Operation
The Kearsley Wastewater Treatment Works processes effluent using the following method:
- Two oxidation ponds with overland flow of effluent pass wastewater through to two abandoned tailing dams, where evaporation and percolation occurs.
- Surface run-off from these dams is diverted through an open channel to an (unnamed) tributary of Swamp Creek, around 2.5 km upstream of confluence.
- Discharge from the tailing dams occurs intermittently and is dependent on rain and seasonal conditions.
Environmental Licence Monitoring
Pollution monitoring data is collected by Hunter Water, as required under the Environment Protection Licences (EPL) issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).