Sewage spill investigation underway
The Swan River Trust is investigating an estimated 700,000-litre sewage spill into the Southern River that occurred around 8pm last night.
Initial reports indicate Water Corporation routine maintenance was underway when the sewage entered the river from a pumping station at the corner of Henderson and Lake roads in Brookdale. Swan River Trust Riverpark operations manager Chris Mather said Trust officers were onsite at 8.30 this morning to meet with the Water Corporation and investigate the spill area.
“Water quality samples were taken along an 11-kilometre stretch of the Southern River to its confluence with the Canning, to determine environmental and health impacts of the spill,” Mr Mather said.
“We take this matter very seriously, and the Trust has scheduled extra sampling to determine any appropriate public warnings. “The Trust will fully investigate the incident and take legal action if warranted under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, but as yet we do not have the full details.
“People found to have discharged sewage face fines of up to $50,000, while companies could face a penalty of $250,000. “
To report damage to the Swan and Canning rivers and foreshores please contact the Trust on (08)278 0900 during office hours or 0419 192 845 after hours.
It was quite a distance upstream for Swan River sailors but keep a lookout for health warnings.
Makes you want to nail the gybes.
Thank goodness for all those loverly septic tanks in mandurahhhhh
its bad enough having to work with it let alone sail with it
hopefully the effluent will be able to create a slick effect and keep the chop down at melville.......ooops just had a vision of canadian lumberjacks riding logs down the rapids....
it will be interesting to see how the flack for this one travells, if it was you or me we would be hung drawn and quartered but in the case of the watercorp.........
