Yarra Valley Water to connect 275 Eltham homes to sewer network

Tens of thousands of Melbourne homes still use septic tanks, including almost 6000 in Nillumbik. But there is finally some good news for hundreds of homeowners whose ageing tanks are at risk of leaking waste.

Yarra Valley Water is removing ageing septic tanks from 275 homes in Eltham South as Nillumbik councillor Peter Clarke said he was surprised it had taken so long, given the proximity to the Yarra River.

Ageing septic tanks will be removed from nearly 300 homes in Eltham South, preventing environmental contamination from the outdated wastewater systems.

But 5900 properties throughout Nillumbik still have septic tanks onsite.

It comes after Yarra Valley Water agreed to increase its sewer rollout from 166 homes in Eltham South to 275 as part of the Eltham South Sewerage Project.

The water service giant will splash $7 million on the works, which are expected to finish late next year.

Outdated septic tanks can leak waste, causing unpleasant smells and the pollution of waterways.

But Nillumbik councillor Peter Clarke said the move was a “big step forward” for concerned homeowners.

“I’m very surprised it has taken this long considering our proximity to the Yarra River,” he said.

“Ageing septic tanks can release sewage and harmful pathogens out into the environment so it is important to connect these homes to the sewer network.”

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The rollout will mean all 275 properties can connect to sewer via a pressure sewer unit or a gravity connection branch.

But all customers who connect will be required to pay plumbing costs to disconnect their septic tank, and to connect to the new sewer.

Yarra Valley Water’s planning for the Eltham South Sewerage Project started in 2017.

About 30,000 properties still rely on the septic system across Melbourne’s outer-north and outer-east.

A total of 11,000 properties are scheduled to be serviced by Yarra Valley Water’s community sewerage program between now and 2033.

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