‘Environmental disaster:’ Residents told to shut windows as more human waste flows into Perth’s Swan River

Authorities are working to find out how much human waste flowed into the Swan River after a wastewater main burst.

Authorities are working to determine how much human waste flowed into the Swan River after a wastewater main burst sending raw sewage into Perth’s most iconic waterway.

Residents were warned to shut their windows to stop the stench from infiltrating their homes and stay out of the Swan River after human waste contaminated the river for a second time in just weeks.

Water Corporation crews were repairing a burst wastewater main when they ran into technical issues, causing wastewater to backup and overflow into the river last week.

Residents were told to avoid all water activities in the Upper Swan between Bassendean and Viveash, in Perth’s east, until further notice and avoid outdoor exercise in areas that stank.

Residents in Perth’s east have been warned to stay away from a section of the Upper Swan River after human waste spilt into the waterway from a burst wastewater main. Image: Water Corporation.

“Stay away from all affected water in the area,” a public health alert read.

“Temporary odour may be experienced in the vicinity of the affected area. To minimise odours, please keep windows closed and consider using fans or air purifiers if needed.”

A Water Corporation spokesman said they were conducting regular sampling of river water with the Department of Health and work was ongoing to determine how much waste was discharged into the river.

“Recent rain is expected to have aided dilution, with any residual wastewater likely to quickly disperse,” a spokesman said.

It is the second incident in the past month where pools of human waste have spilt into the Swan River from burst wastewater pipes.

Raw sewage flowed across soccer pitches in Beaconsfield in June and ran all the way into Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour.

The City of Fremantle found human waste at the stormwater drain at the southern end of the harbour and closed the groyne.

Beaconsfield residents told Nine it smelled like a toilet.

Human waste from burst wastewater pipes slid into Perth’s Swan River and suburban areas in Beaconsfield and Spearwood last month. Picture: 9News

Opposition water spokesman Peter Rundall called for an audit of Western Australia’s wastewater infrastructure to prevent further environmental disasters.

Mr Rundall said while the state government boasted about multi-billion dollar surpluses, essential sewage services were falling apart.

“This isn’t just an infrastructure failure – it’s a serious public health and environmental threat,” he said.

“Families and communities have been exposed to human waste, and the public is being told to stay away from one of Perth’s most iconic natural assets.

“This should be a wake-up call – the community deserves transparency on how water infrastructure is being funded and where it’s falling short.

“Western Australians deserve better than this.”

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti told media the spill was clearly unacceptable and will work with Water Corporation to find out what could be done to prevent these incidents from occurring. Picture: NewsWire /Philip Gostelow

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti told media a second spill was clearly unacceptable and the government would work with Water Corporation to find out what could be done to prevent these incidents from occurring.

“This is not something that we want to see, or is acceptable, so we will continue to work with that agency to see what else we can do in relation to making sure we prevent these types of spillages,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Environmental disaster:’ Residents told to shut windows as more human waste flows into Perth’s Swan River