Experience the Western Treatment Plant at Werribee, and discover the historical and environmental importance of this fascinating site.
Tours and learning experiences
Explore the Western Treatment Plant, and learn about water management and how sewage becomes a reusable resource.
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Year 3-4: Water & the water cycle
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant and find out how the sewage system works. Learn about the key processes of the natural and urban water cycle.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of water and identify sources of water
- Explain how water flows through the natural and urban water cycle
- Learn where water comes from and where it goes when it goes down the drain
- Discover how waste water is treated and then recycled
- Consider ways that they can use water wisely - reduce consumption and waste
Student activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment
- Participate in an interactive narrative and choose your own adventure’ storytelling experience
- Work in groups to complete a Water Cycle puzzle
- Discuss how they are part of the water cycle
Curriculum links
- Science: VCSSU059, VCSSU062, VCSIS065
- Geography: VCGGK081, VCGGC072, VCGGC073
Group size: 30 students max. per class (two classes max. per session)
Pricing: Price on application
Duration: 2-2.5 hours - Year 7-VCE: The Future Water Story
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Description
Investigate the importance of water to life, and how we will need to make our cities future-ready and sustainable; while exploring the Western Treatment Plant and participating in a digital learning experience.
Learning outcomes- Describe how water is a renewable natural resource that is finite
- Explain the different methods to overcoming water scarcity; both by reducing demand for water and increasing the supply of water
- Know that water is a scarce resource, and it needs to be managed to ensure water security
- Understand that Melbourne's water security will be impacted by climate change
- Understand that the liveability of Melbourne depends on a safe and secure supply of water; as well as treatment of wastewater
Program activities
- Work in teams and collaborate to complete problem-solving activities
- Collectively synthesise and analyse information from multiple sources and consider the implications and consequences of their decision-making
- Analyse data and maps to develop explanations and make conclusions
- Explore the plant by bus and undertake observations of activities at the site
- Complete an analysis of the location and landscape of the site
For more details see The Future Water Story.
Group size: 30 students max. per class (two classes max. per session)
Pricing: $360 per group
Duration: Up to 4 hours - VCE: Outdoor and Environmental Studies
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant and discover how humans have understood and interacted with this environment. Learn about the sustainable use and management of the site, from sewage treatment to the Ramsar listed wetlands.
Learning outcomes
Unit 3 & 4
- Learn about the history of the site, and how people have interacted with this environment overtime
- Explore the competing uses and demands - between human needs and conservation
- Examine the management strategies and the challenges of sustaining the environment
- Learn about Acts and/or Conventions related to the management and sustainability of this outdoor environments, including the Ramsar Convention
- Learn how Melbourne Water and Traditional Owners work together to manage land and water
Unit 1 & 2
- Describe the characteristics of different outdoor environments - wetlands, grasslands and freshwater
- Learn about human activities undertaken in outdoor environments and their impacts on those environments
- Find out about identification and management of threatened species
- Encounter career opportunities in outdoor environments
- Learn how environmental research informs and guides sustainable management
Student activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment, from when sewage enters the plant to its treatment and reuse or release
- Explore the Ramsar listed wetlands and observe the flora and fauna
- Complete logbook recordings and observations
Group size: 25 students max. per class (two classes max. per session)
Pricing: $300 per class - VCE: Environmental Science
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant and develop knowledge and understanding of the environments, including the biodiversity of the Ramsar listed wetlands. Discover how the site is managed in response to environmental challenges.
Learning outcomes
Unit 3 & 4
- Explore the competing uses and demands of the site - sewage treatment and wetland management
- Examine the management strategies and the challenges of sustaining the biodiversity of the wetlands
- Find out about the different stakeholders and their perspectives of site management
- Learn about Acts and/or Conventions related to the management and sustainability of the site, including its Ramsar listing
Unit 1 & 2
- Explore water security and sustainable water systems
- Examine the approaches Melbourne Water is using to meet water security challenges
- Learn about options for decreasing water demand and improving water-use efficiency
Student activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment, from when sewage enters the plant to its treatment and reuse or release
- Identify the sustainable water conservation and engineering activities at the treatment plant
- Explore the Ramsar listed wetlands and observe the flora and fauna
Group size: 25 students max. per class (two classes max. per session)
Pricing: $300 per class - VCE: Systems Engineering
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant, find out about water management and learn about the technology that enables sewage to become a valuable and reusable resource.
Learning outcomes
Unit 3 & 4
- Learn about how the largest sewage treatment plant in Melbourne operates
- Find out about methane capture, renewable energy production and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- Explore the scientific, technological, environmental, economic and societal and human factors that led to the development of these technologies
- Examine the life cycle of power supply
Student activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment, from when sewage enters the plant to its treatment and reuse or release
- Identify the energy production technologies at the treatment plant
- Discuss advantages and disadvantages of these energy sources
Group size: 25 students max. per class (two classes max. per session)
Pricing: $300 per class
Duration: 2 hours - Tertiary/ TAFE: Systems and Innovation
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant, find out about water management and learn about the technology that enables sewage to become a valuable and reusable resource.
Learning outcomes
- Learn about how the largest sewage treatment plant in Melbourne operates
- Develop an understanding about the clean energy technologies at the plant
- Find out about methane capture, renewable energy production and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Student activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment, from when sewage enters the plant to its treatment and reuse or release
- Identify the energy production technologies at the treatment plant
- Discuss advantages and disadvantages of these energy sources
Group size: 25 students max. per group (two groups max. per session)
Pricing: Price on application
Duration: Two-hours - Community: Discovery Tour
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant and Ramsar listed wetlands. Learn about water management, how sewage becomes a reusable resource and why this is important for the birds.
Visitors will
- Learn about how the largest sewage treatment plant in Melbourne operates
- Discover the history of the Western Treatment Plant and its importance to Melbourne
- Learn about the flora and fauna
Visitor activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment, from when sewage enters the plant to its treatment and reuse or release
- Explore the Ramsar listed wetlands and observe bird and animal species
Bookings are not yet open for community tours for 2025 – but sign up for our WaterEd newsletter to be first in the know about the exciting Community Open Day program that we have planned!
- Industry Technical Tour
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant, find out about water management and learn about the technology that enables sewage to become a valuable and reusable resource.
Visitors will
- Learn about how the largest sewage treatment plant in Melbourne operates
- Find out about methane capture, renewable energy generation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Visitor activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment, from when sewage enters the plant to its treatment and reuse or release
- Identify the energy production technologies at the treatment plant
Currently bookings for our Industry Technical Tours are not yet open until April 2025. We will be running an industry event in 2025 as well as opening bookings for monthly industry tours.
- International Delegate Technical Tour
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Description
Explore the Western Treatment Plant, find out about water management and learn about the technology that enables sewage to become a valuable and reusable resource.
Visitors will
- Learn about how the largest sewage treatment plant in Melbourne operates
- Find out about methane capture, renewable energy generation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Visitor activities
- Explore the sewage treatment plant by bus
- Observe the process of sewage treatment, from when sewage enters the plant to its treatment and reuse or release
- Identify the energy production technologies at the treatment plant
Currently, we are not hosting International Delegate Technical Tours to the Western Treatment Plant. We recommend you look at Melbourne Conferences in 2025 where we may be hosting tours in conjunction with these events.
Prepare for your visit
Before your visit, read the following information and complete our venue and safety form before you arrive.
All tours will be cancelled on days of very poor or hazardous air quality.
- Safety
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We are committed to the safety of all visitors to our sites. When visiting our tour sites, we ask that you strictly follow these safety rules at all times:
- wear closed-toe, flat-soled shoes – sandals and thongs are not permitted on site
- wear long pants/trousers
- stay with your tour guide at all times
- while on tour do not climb on or over railings
- do not touch any machinery or equipment
- do not run.
The Western Treatment Plant treats sewage, which contains many micro-organisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites. When visiting the plant:
- avoid contact with sewage and sewage-related products wash your hands before leaving the plant or eating
- do not eat or drink during the tour
- wash any contaminated clothing separately to your normal washing
- cover any open wounds, and report any minor cuts or abrasions that occur while onsite to Melbourne Water
- wear appropriate clothing for all weather conditions as activities are conducted outdoors.
Student supervision and discipline is the school’s responsibility, and teachers and adults accompanying school groups should actively supervise students at all times.
We reserve the right to cancel a booked tour and ask individuals or groups to leave the site immediately if any action or behaviour is unsafe.
- Venue and safety form
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Download and return a signed copy of the relevant form when you arrive for your tour:
- Child safe standards
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We’re committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and providing a child-safe environment in line with our Child safe standards policy (50.63 KB, DOCX). All our Education Officers and Interpretation Officers have the relevant legal requirements (Working With Children Check or Victorian Institute of Teaching registration).
Community Hub
For more information about community events,
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Western Treatment Plant sewage treatment process
The plant treats sewage using a series of large ponds, called lagoons - producing 40 billion litres of recycled water each year.
