Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
A significant amount of infrastructure is needed to ensure the continuous flow of water and wastewater in our homes and businesses.
Below is a list of major facilities in our region:
Eton Water Treatment Plant
The Eton Water Treatment Plant is located on the Peak Downs Highway, Eton.
It services the Eton community and treats water from two bores at a rate of eight litres per second and can produce 200 kL per day.
In 2019, a softening system was installed to reduce the hardness of the town’s water supply.
Marian Water Treatment Plant
The Marian Water Treatment Plant, built in 2015, was named Australia’s best-tasting tap water (2019) and second best in the world (2020). It provides a reliable water supply to 9000 residents in Marian and Mirani, replacing a limited groundwater system.
Sourced from the Eungella National Park and Crediton State Forest, the water undergoes clarification, filtration and chlorine disinfection to meet Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines.
Key facts:
- $13M project, including a $6.4M state grant
- $2.5M Raw Water Intake project
- Designed for future expansion and sustainability
The plant continues to deliver safe, high-quality water to the community.
Nebo Road Water Treatment Plant
The Nebo Road Water Treatment Plant, Mackay’s largest water treatment facility, is located three kilometres southwest of the CBD, next to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens.
With a 75 ML per day treatment capacity, the plant processes raw water from the Dumbleton Weir on the Pioneer River and nearby groundwater bores.
It supplies water to the Mackay and Sarina water supply schemes, ensuring a reliable and high-quality water source for the region.
Mackay North Water Recycling Facility
The Mackay North Water Recycling Facility (MNWRF), located in Bucasia, serves 20,000 residents across the Northern Beaches, including Shoal Point, Bucasia, Rural View, Blacks Beach and Eimeo.
Using advanced treatment technology, the facility significantly reduces nutrient discharge into waterways like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It operates two sequence batch reactors (SBRs), each running a four-hour cycle of aeration, settling, and decanting. The final effluent is filtered, disinfected with UV light, and discharged to Reliance Creek.
Key Processes:
- Aerated digesters process waste-activated sludge (WAS).
- Centrifuge dewatering produces nutrient-rich sludge.
- Recycled sludge is turned into compost for local farmers by AJK Contracting.
The MNWRF plays a vital role in sustainable wastewater treatment and environmental protection.
Mackay South Water Recycling Facility
The Mackay South Water Recycling Facility (MSWRF) at Bakers Creek serves 63,000 people, supplying recycled water to local cane growers for irrigation and reducing reliance on underground water.
During wet weather, treated water is safely discharged into Bakers Creek.
The facility helps protect waterways, meets Queensland Water Recycling Guideline, and converts waste into nutrient-rich compost for local farmers.
Mirani Water Recycling Facility
The Mirani Water Recycling Facility treated sewage from Mirani and Marian, originally built in 2002 for 2,000 people and upgraded in 2012.
By 2019, with the population nearing 4,000, the facility had reached capacity. A 2019/20 upgrade expanded its capacity to serve 7,000 residents, with potential for 10,000, while improving nutrient removal to protect local waterways and the Great Barrier Reef.
The project included a new biological activated sludge plant and system enhancements to provide high-quality recycled water for irrigation.
Sarina Water Recycling Facility
The Sarina Water Recycling Facility (SWRF) is a modern sewage treatment plant designed to meet strict environmental regulations and support future growth.
It replaced the outdated Sarina Sewerage Treatment Plant, offering improved reliability and cleaner recycled water for agricultural use.
With a capacity for 8,000 people, the plant features a new recycled water pipeline to Plane Creek and the ability to expand further.
The facility has reduced environmental impact, improved water quality, and minimized disruption to the Sarina township. It is expected to reach full capacity by 2031.