Sewage spills through Australian Tourist Town

By SIMON JOHANSON of The Age Online Thursday 20 January 2000

Barwon Water has today denied a 70,000-litre sewage spill through residential streets in Lorne poses a health hazard to beach users. But Lorne shop owners have complained this morning that odors from the spill still linger in Lorne's main street, Mountjoy Parade. Murray Walding from the Lorne Surf Shop said the spill had crossed the Great Ocean Road about 750 metres from his store on the main shopping street. "It absolutely stinks at the moment," he said at 10.30 am. "When I first came to work in the morning it was very unsightly along the edge of the road. There's a large amount of sewage still there. It's very wet and soggy on the side of the road. It's not very pleasant here at the moment." Barwon Water was alerted to the sewage spill at 7.30 last night when angry residents rang to complain that thousands of litres of sewage from a pumping station was cascading down residential Duncan Street. The seaside town has a huge influx of holiday makers and campers during the summer months that can put stress on essential services. The sewage ran into the storm water system and was flushed out over the Great Ocean Road and on to the beach in North Lorne less than two kilometres from the main swimming beach. One resident, Alan Chipp, said a "waterfall" of untreated effluent flowed downhill towards the foreshore, carving a two-metre hole at one point. "The smell has been so bad, it has woken residents at night, forcing them to shut doors and windows," he said. Barwon Water senior executive Mike McCoy said the authority had reacted promptly, shutting down the plant and cleaning and flushing the storm water drains overnight with disinfectant. The beach and rocks had also been cleaned but warning signs are up along the beach and Great Ocean Road to prevent people swimming in the area, he said. "We conducted a clean-up to the satisfaction of the Environment Protection Authority last night," Mr McCoy said. "We have put up signs warning people of potential pollution." Mr McCoy said the spill was caused after secondary pump at the pumping station failed to turn on when the main pump stopped last night. The Environment Protection Authority said it was testing samples from the beach where the spill occurred. EPA executive director Rob Joy said the authority was unaware of the concerns of traders in the main street. "I had understood there was comprehensive flushing of the drainage system. If there is a need for further clean-up then Barwon Water will certainly have to undertake that," he said. The effluent in the water was too far away from the main beach to pose a hazard and was likely to be diluted "fairly rapidly," he said. He said current weather conditions would wash the remaining effluent out to sea rather than on to the main Lorne beach. Sunlight also helped neutralise the bacteria in the water.

Link to story from The Age:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/20000120/A35664-2000Jan20.html Later Story on Sewage Spill from ABC News Australia:

Water worries after sewage leak

Water officials are still monitoring a beach at North Lorne on the State's south coast after a massive sewage leak from a pumping station last night.

The cause of the fault is still being investigated.

Back up and alarm systems failed after the main pump broke down.

Barwon Water's Mike McCoy, says some effluent reached a beach which was being monitored.

"There is a standard bacteria test which will test for the presence of bacteria in the water."

"There is always dilution and pretty rapid die-off in salt water, but we have to make sure that has occurred," he said. While sewage flowed down the streets, most was contained in the stormwater system which has since been cleaned out and disinfected

"It didn't occur at the main swimming beaches. It's about 2 km north of those areas."

"We did our main clean up last night in conjunction with the Environment Protection Authority which is satisfied with that."

"We certainly put out some warning signs on the beach until we get some tests back to ensure there isnt any pollution in that local area." ) 2000 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Link to Story:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/state/vic/metvic-20jan2000-18.htm

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), January 20, 2000

Answers

The Victorian guide book says;

"Picturesque Lorne is one of the most stunning beauty spots along the Great Ocean Road. Its sparkling ocean outlook set against the lush, cool Otway forests is an experience that leaves a lasting impression."

Link to Great Ocean Road

Lorne is a popular destination. It was the first place to be declared an area of 'Special Significance and Natural Beauty' by the Victorian Government.

International followers of surfing events will recognise the name 'Bells Beach', found just a few miles east of Lorne.

From a personal viewpoint I think this spill is distressing and I'm sure questions are urgently being asked about engineering standards in hyper-sensititive environments.

I would think the newly elected Brack Labor Government's holiday is abruptly over. Lorne is the summer playground of Victoria.

Regards from Oz

-- Pieter (zaadz@icisp.net.au), January 20, 2000.

This is not related in any way to post Y2K (but then, this forum is now basically just a meeting place for people who were wrong, but either can't admit it - or have become dependent on it, and need help).

Things go wrong in Oz all the time. It's just a relatively sophisticated 3rd World country with 1st World aspirations. And shit happens.

-- Oz (Oz@hotmail.com), January 20, 2000.

"this forum is now basically just a meeting place for people who were wrong, but either can't admit it - or have become dependent on it, and need help"

And, you are which of these?

-- (TrollPatrol@sheesh.now), January 20, 2000.