A pipe blockage caused by vegetation growth in the Young sewerage system has overflowed causing a discharge of untreated sewage into the Garibaldi Gully creek system.
There has been limited discharge to the creek system which is believed to be in the region of 20 kilolitres.
However, warning signs advising the public to avoid contact with the water have been placed in the area and will only be removed when the creek system has been flushed of the raw sewage and is fit for public use again.
Council’s Pollution Incident Response Management Plan (PIRMP) has been activated.
Council Staff are currently:
- cleaning up the effects of the overflow at the site;
- implementing a sampling and testing program downstream of the spill area to determine if the untreated sewage has flowed out of the spill area.
Hilltops Council’s General Manager Anthony McMahon hopes that expected rainfall will flush the spill area and dilute untreated sewage.
“The time frame on when the creek will be back to normal is very dependant on how much rain we receive,” Mr McMahon said.
“The pipe was blocked by some vegetation downstream from the manhole.
“The roots blocked the pipe, backing the sewage up until it was forced out of the manhole.
“There was no damage to infrastructure, but it is estimated 20 kilolitres of sewerage flowed into the creek.
“The roots have been cut and the pipe seems to be working properly again.
“We are currently monitoring the creek and are testing the water both downstream and upstream.
“We will advise the public when the creek is safe to use again.
“That time frame will depend upon how much rain we get to help dilute the raw sewerage.
“The predicted rain should help flush the system.
“The condition of the creek with it’s heavy vegetation will also help dilute the sewerage.
“It is common for creeks near sewerage works to have strong vegetation to help in these matters.
“We will continue to monitor the creek and when there is no longer any danger we will let the public know.
‘Hopefully the weather will mean that time will not be too far away,” he said.
As a precaution, Council advises the public to avoid the creek system in the following areas during the rainfall period:
- Garibaldi Gully behind the Young Showground;
- Victoria Gully from Garibaldi Gully Bridge to Lachlan Street; and
- Burrangong Creek from Lachlan Street through town.
Council will further advise when the sampling and testing program indicates there is no longer any impact on the creek flows.
