Wastewater management
Used water from showers, baths, toilets, kitchen sinks, laundries, household drains and light industrial processes is known as wastewater. Domestic households produce an average of 200–300L of wastewater per person every day.
Wastewater is transported from domestic or industrial sites through a system of sewers and pump stations, known as sewerage reticulation, to a sewage treatment plant.
Cairns Regional Council operates 182 sewer pump stations and six wastewater treatment plants across the region.
We provide wastewater treatment services to the community to prevent public health risks and to protect our environment.
Our treatment plants are designed to remove waste from the water so it can be safely reused or returned to the environment.
Where possible treated water is recycled for use on parks and gardens, golf courses, road construction sites etc. This water is not suitable for drinking. Biosolids produced through the treatment process can be used on specific farms as a nutrient rich fertiliser.
It is important for all residents to understand that what goes down their drain can damage our wastewater system. This can affect the cost of operating the sewerage system, as well as causing sewer overflows, damage to pipes and overloading pump stations and treatment plants.
What can you do to help?
Only pee, poo and toilet paper should go down your toilet.
Only water and non-toxic cleaning products should go down your drains.
Never flush:
- wet wipes (even ‘flushable’ ones)
- sanitary items
- cotton buds
- dental floss
- cigarette butts
Remember, never tip cooking oils, fats from cooking or milk down the sink.
Location: McGregor Rd, Smithfield
Service Area: Yorkeys Knob, Kewarra Beach, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach and suburbs in between including Caravonica.
Capacity: 30740 people or 8.3 ML/day
Treatment Standard: Tertiary
Treatment Process: The liquid stream is a 5-stage Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal EBPR) configuration with three clarifiers. Effluent is treated with UV and discharged to a feeder drain that enters Half Moon Creek. Sludge is dewatered from an aerobic digestion system using a belt filter press.
Recycled water initiatives: Yorkeys Knob State School and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.
Location: Greenbank Rd, Aeroglen
Service Area: Brinsmead, Edge Hill, Cairns North, Parramatta Park, Cairns City, Portsmith (from Fearnley St), Holloways Beach, Machans Beach and suburbs in between including Redlynch and Kamerunga.
Capacity: 71851 people or 19.4 ML/day.
Treatment Standard: Tertiary
Treatment Process: The liquid stream is a 5-stage Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) configuration with separate reactor tank for submerged membrane filtration (SMF). Effluent is discharged to the Barron River. Sludge is dewatered from an aerobic digestion system using a belt filter press.
Recycled water initiatives: Botanic Gardens precinct plus some on-site use
Location: Machonachie St, Woree
Service Area: Part Mt Sheridan, part White Rock, Westcourt, Bungalow, Portsmith to Fearnley St, Manunda, Manoora and suburbs in between.
Capacity: 71851 people or 19.4 ML/day
Treatment Standard: Tertiary
Treatment Process: The liquid stream is a modified oxidation ditch with separate anaerobic reactor and with separate reactor tank for submerged membrane filtration (SMF). Effluent is discharged to Trinity Inlet. Sludge is dewatered from an aerobic digestion system using a belt filter press.
Recycled water initiatives: Cairns Golf Club plus some on-site use
Location: Swallow Rd, Edmonton
Service Area: Southern estate on Petersen Road to Foster Road (western side of highway) and to Giffin Road on the Eastern side of the highway, Edmonton, part Mt Sheridan, part White Rock.
Capacity: 24814 people or 6.7 ML/day
Treatment Standard: Tertiary
Treatment Process: The liquid stream treatment is an oxidation ditch with clarifier. Effluent is treated with UV and discharged to Trinity Inlet. Sludge is dewatered directly out of the bioreactor using a belt filter press.
Recycled water initiatives: none
Location: Rushworth Rd, Gordonvale
Service Area: Gordonvale
Capacity: 7037 people or 1.9 ML/day
Treatment Standard: Secondary
Treatment Process: The liquid stream treatment is an oxidation ditch with clarifier. Clarifier effluent is chlorinated and discharged to the Mulgrave River. Sludge is dewatered from anaerobic lagoons via centrifuge as required.
Recycled water initiatives: none
Location: Clyde Rd, Babinda
Service Area: Babinda
Capacity: 1000 people or 1ML/day
Treatment Standard: Secondary
Treatment Process: Biological Trickle Filter system. Effluent is chlorinated and discharged to Babinda Creek. Sludge is sucked out of the primary digester and taken to another plant as required.
Recycled water initiatives: none
Preventing Sewage Overflow
It's important to maintain your overflow relief gully to avoid the risk of sewage overflowing inside your home.
Sinks, drains & toilets
Everything you flush down the toilet or pour down the drain goes through our sewerage systems. Think before you flush and keep our pipes clean.
Last Updated: 19 March 2025
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