Poonami Army celebrates crackdown on illegal plumbing connections contributing to sewage flooding

Council will crackdown on illegal plumbing connections which are contributing to a flood of sewage across three Townsville suburbs when it rains.

Plans have been revealed for a council crackdown on illegal plumbing connections contributing to the “poonami” sewage overflow problem in three Townsville suburbs.

For more than 30 years in some cases, sewage-swamped residents have complained bitterly about inaction on the problem, which arises with each significant rain event.

Led by Wulguru resident Leanne Dobbin, residents combined their voices as part of the Poonami Army and recruited sympathetic politicians to champion their cause.

While it was hoped the newly completed Wulguru Pump Station, as part of the $20m Stage three of the Southern Suburbs Rising Main Project, would address the problem, Ms Dobbin said different residents were now being affected.

“They ran a pipe around near my place which means I don’t get affected with the amount of water that comes in nowadays but everyone around me is getting affected worse,” Ms Dobbin said.

Leanne Dobbin stands in raw sewage flooding her backyard. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I’m a strong person but every time it rains I cry. I get inundated with phone calls and messages and messages and when it does rain from all the people in the community.

“It’s not good out there. People aren’t doing good.”

During February’s full meeting of Townsville City Council (TCC) it was revealed 58 properties in Wulguru, Cluden and Annandale were still being impacted by the problem.

Councillors green lit plans for a Selective Inspection Program allowing TCC to inspect properties in certain catchments to identify what was going into the sewerage system.

Poonami Army leader Leanne Dobbin adds more dots where properties have reported sewage flooding. Picture: Leighton Smith.

To do this, they would carry out smoke tests on sections of the sewerage system, using odourless, non-toxic smoke and high capacity blowers to identify illegal, broken or damaged connections.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said people who had storm-water pipes connected to the sewerage system could have their connections revealed by smoke emerging from the drainpipe in their roof.

Officers will physically inspect any council infrastructure within a property to determine potential maintenance and rectification requirements and look at external plumbing fixtures to identify illegal or unauthorised connections requiring disconnection from the sewer system.

Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters and Councillor Fran O’Callaghan met with the Poonami Army to find a solution.

Ms Dobbin was pleased the council was deploying smoke tests and inspections, saying her group had called for it since 2018.

She believed some residents would attempt to cover their tracks.

“After the testing, I hope (TCC) actually do the work and follow it up, because that’s what they’re not good at doing, following it up,” she said.

Council’s inspections will begin between March 16 and March 30, continuing for up to three months.

A notice of entry letter will be delivered to each property in the area between one and three working days before smoke testing takes place.

For more information, visit: www.townsville.qld.gov.au/water-waste-and-environment/waste-water/common-wastewater-questions

Originally published as Poonami Army celebrates crackdown on illegal plumbing connections contributing to sewage flooding