Council ignores contaminated water

THE faecal contaminated water dwelling in front of eight houses in Evans Head was still being ignored by council, resident Jon Lawrence said.

Residents of Ocean Drive Evans Head say their pleas are being ignored by Richmond Valley Council to fix the flow of contaminated water containing high levels of faecal matter from flowing into the gutters outside their homes.

THE faecal contaminated water dwelling in front of eight houses in Evans Head was still being ignored by council, resident Jon Lawrence said.

The Northern Star featured a story this week on a huge puddle containing high level of faecal matter filling the gutters outside houses in Ocean Drive.

Mr Lawrence has been lobbying Richmond Valley Council and Telstra – the owner of the pit from which the water is reportedly coming from, to do something to fix the problem.

“The local Telstra people have been really good and said they would organise a meeting on site with council to determine the extent of the problem” he said.

“I haven’t heard a thing from Richmond Valley Council. Nothing surprises me anymore.

“I think they need to act pretty quickly because it is only going to manifest from here on in.

“They can’t have faecal coliforms running down the drains in their shire.”

After two years of battling with Telstra and council about who is accountable for the puddle, Mr Lawrence paid $300 to have the water tested. The results revealed the water has 7000 times the amount of faecal coliform recommend in drinking water.

Telstra North Coast general manager Michael Sharpe admits the water which flows down the gutter from the stormwater drain is an issue that will be addressed.

“It seems to be an issue but the source of the water is of some concern,” he said.

“We are going to meet with council soon to see where it’s coming from and, why the water is running through our pit.”

Mr Lawrence welcomes the sudden action and said the water contamination had become a talking point.

“I’ve been into the bank and into work and people have been saying, wow, that’s horrible something needs to be done about that,” he said.

“I want them (council and Telstra) to investigate and fix the problem.

“I think we will give them a couple of weeks and if nothing has happened then we will have to push a lot harder.”

Originally published as Council ignores contaminated water