Geraldton Plumbing Company awarded latest infill sewerage contract

28/5/98

The Geraldton Plumbing Company has won the latest infill sewerage program contract to be undertaken in the Geraldton area.

Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames said today the company had been awarded the $735,000 project for the northern suburb of Spalding.

The project, due to start later this month, will offer connection points to reticulated sewerage to 135 properties. The area is bounded by Chapman Road and Crowtherton, Malcolm and Hosken Streets. Work is due to be finished by October this year.

The work continues the State Government's strong commitment to the Mid-West region under its $800 million Infill Sewerage Program to provide reticulated sewerage to most areas which have had to rely on septic tanks.

Dr Hames said the project would offer greater protection to the environment, in particular the nearby Chapman River.

"When we have inefficient septic tanks there's an unacceptable risk of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus leaching out into waterways and contributing to algae build up," he said.

"Reticulated sewerage will help the Chapman River remain a healthy ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.

"Protecting groundwater supplies is also an important reason for the continuing program of work in the Geraldton area.

"When we started the program in 1994, 75 per cent of the town relied on septic tanks, much higher than many other country areas. Now, we're making excellent progress towards overcoming that unhealthy situation."

Dr Hames urged householders in the project area to connect to the reticulated system as soon as it became available.

"The benefits of having a system that's virtually maintenance free are immediately noticeable and people never again have to face the costly and unpleasant task of cleaning out septic tanks," he said

"They will benefit and so will the community."

For more information, please call Water Corporation Project Manager Partap Dhand on Ph: (08) 9420 3644.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy (08) 9424 7450