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: