AECOM sewage leak report finds Logan failed to alert Gold Coast of massive drop in water flow

A damning report into the state’s largest sewage leak has found a southside council failed to alert a neighbouring council of a possible leak and has recommended installing water flow alarms.

Council officers work to trace the leaking pipe. Picture: AECOM report

Logan City Council has been told a water flow alarm and other monitoring measures must be installed at one of its largest sewerage plants after a damning report into the state’s largest sewage leak was released.

In its report, global infrastructure consulting firm AECOM (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Management) found more than 450 megalitres of untreated waste spewed out of a broken Gold Coast City Council pipe at Yatala between January 11 and April 8.

The waste water flowed into the Albert River and the Logan River, where signs were erected in April warning people not to eat fish from the river system.

A map in the AECOM report showing the flow of water and where the leak was detected. Picture: AECOM

The report, commissioned by Gold Coast City Council, found corroded metal pipes were to blame for the sewage leak with delays in detection accounting for the extent of the spill.

It said a major factor was a meter, gauging water flow from the Gold Coast’s Yatala pipes into Logan’s Beenleigh sewerage plant, did not have an alarm on it to alert officials to changes in water flow.

“Logan City Council did not communicate significantly lower flows from the Gold Coast’s sewage pump station (SPS BE35) to the Gold Coast City Council,” the report said.

“The reasons for this have not been determined.

“Logan City Council were invited to participate in the investigation.

“This report has been published without receiving their response.”

A corroded pipe that was part of the problem, according to the AECOM report.

In its recommendations, the AECOM report advised that alarms and totalisers be installed at the Beenleigh Sewerage Treatment Plant along with pressure sensors.

It also ordered a revision in the communication arrangements between the two councils for the Beenleigh sewerage plant to ensure both parties notified each other when a significant change was observed.

AECOM also insisted both parties confirm reasons for the observed changes “promptly and collaboratively”.

An excerpt from the AECOM report.

Other advice included that the Gold Coast install alarms on all water flow instruments, conduct regular inspections of isolated pipes, start planning to install pressure sensors and review all pipe contracts.

Logan City Council was asked to comment on why it failed to alert the Gold Coast of the huge drop in water flow at its Beenleigh facility between January and April.

A Logan City Council spokesperson said the council was helping with another investigation.

“We are aware the Department of Environment Science and Innovation has commenced a formal investigation into the spill. We have been and will continue to fully participate in the investigation.”

However, Logan Mayor Jon Raven told The Gold Coast Bulletin that Gold Coast City CEO Tim Baker “dropped the ball” over the sewer leak.

Mr Baker questioned why Cr Raven had “politicised’’ the incident, saying the Gold Coast was transparent with findings, had employed a reputable independent consultant and begun infrastructure reform recommendations.

Gold Coast City Council said it would instigate all recommendations and the Department of Environment and Science said it was continuing its investigations into the Albert and Logan rivers spill.

Logan River residents say they are concerned. Picture: Judith Kerr

Residents living along the Logan River at Loganholme, Carbrook and Redland Bay have demanded answers about the extent of the toxic releases into the water.

Many said they were alerted to the sewerage spill after dozens of signs were erected at local boat ramps and fishing spots warning of the possible dangers of eating contaminated fish from the river.

“We just want to see what the findings are so that we know the Logan River is safe,” Logan resident Ken Thomas said.

“It’s a disgrace that we have not been given information about what was in the water and what the water is like now.

“When will it be safe again?”