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Melbourne's water
storages are currently at:

34.5%

breakdown by reservoir

(you can click on each reservoir
for more information)

Thomson: 21.4%

Cardinia: 34.4%

Upper Yarra: 66.0%

Sugarloaf: 60.2%

Silvan: 87.7%

Tarago: 57.6%

Yan Yean: 29.9%

Greenvale: 72.1%

Maroondah: 86.3%

O'Shannassy: 77.0%

teacher guide

Western Treatment Plant Explorer: Teacher guide

The Western Treatment Plant is situated on the shores of Port Phillip Bay southwest of Melbourne. It receives and treats most of the sewage produced in Melbourne's western and northern suburbs, including most industrial wastes.

The Western Treatment Plant Explorer provides students with the opportunity to study:

  • a system organised around sustainability;
  • practical applications of many chemical and physical processes;
  • the productive utilisation of climatic and land formation features of the area; and
  • the flora and fauna, particularly migratory birds, found in the area.

These notes contain information and resources designed to be used with a tour - whether it is the virtual or actual tour - of the Western Treatment Plant.

Going on an actual tour?

Thirty classroom activities are provided to help you make the most of your visit. These activities can be used before, or after a tour.

Virtual student challenges

p>Set a challenge for students to complete while doing the virtual tour – collect information, images or videos to prepare a report.

Theme Challenge
Chemical Identify, describe and discuss the different physical and chemical processes used at the Western Treatment Plant.
Biological Construct food chains/webs that can be found within the Western Treatment Plant.
Systems Develop a systems model or concept map of how the Western Treatment Plant operates.
Sustainability Identify and describe the ways that the Western Treatment Plant supports sustainable resource management.
Historical Develop your own timeline of events associated with the Western Treatment Plant.
Economic Identify and describe the types of business opportunities supported by the Western Treatment Plant.

Curriculum links