Recycled wastewater leak forces closure of a Sellicks Beach reserve, but risk to public health “low”
LEAKING treated sewage water has forced the closure of a reserve that surrounds the Sellicks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant — and residents are angry.
LEAKING treated sewage water has forced the closure of a reserve that surrounds the Sellicks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant.
SA Health inspected the Maritime Ave reserve last week after a resident complained about excess water on the reserve.
Onkaparinga Council uses treated water from the plant to irrigate the area.
Onkaparinga’s commercial director Steve Mathewson said the problem was caused by an irrigation system and drippers not working correctly.
“However, there are also limitations in relation to the clay-based soil in the reserve and its ability to absorb water,” Mr Mathewson said.
“We aim to resolve the issue and reinstate access to the reserve as soon as possible, subject to further liaison and clearance from the Health Department as per usual procedure.”
SA Health’s protection director Dr Chris Lease said while any risk associated with treated wastewater was “low”, the reserve should be closed until the council fixed the issue.
Local residents contacted the Southern Times Messenger last week after they noticed wet areas were covered in sand, which the council said were put in place until repair works started.
The council’s management of the plant has been in the spotlight in recent years, following a leak in 2011.
The Environment Protection Authority last month revealed it was investigating whether the council criminally deceived the authority over its handling of the May 2011 leak, which the council failed to report at the time.
The council has spent $130,000 in legal fees to stop the full release of an internal investigation into the leak.
Sellicks Area Residents Association chairman Michael Lee said people were concerned for their health following the latest incident.
“The water was pooling in several places throughout the reserve and we’re just really concerned about the health and safety of residents,” Mr Lee said.
“If it hadn’t been a dry winter, the whole area would’ve been very wet.”
Resident Carole Bradford was angry about problems at the plant, after years of waiting for the suburb to be connected to a main sewerage network.
“It is of great concern and disappointment that after several years of council assurances that all is well, there is still serious ongoing problems with the plant,” Mrs Bradford said.
“Problems that are costing ratepayers mega dollars.”
The council did not answer questions about how much it would cost to fix the latest problem.