Western Treatment Plant

Located in Werribee, the historic plant sustainably treats half of Melbourne's sewage while providing an internationally-recognised bird habitat.

Facts about the plant

occupies 10,500 hectares - the same size as Disney World

produces 40 billion litres of recycled water a year

is energy self-sufficient, generating all its electricity from sewage gas

declared an internationally-significant wetland for waterfowl in 1983, under the Ramsar Convention

The plant treats sewage using a series of large ponds, called lagoons - the largest of which can hold 600 million litres.

These are managed to suit different types of bacteria, which break down different sewage pollutants.

The whole process uses very little energy and takes around 35 days.

School tours are available to the Western Treatment Plant by visiting melbournewater.com.au