Mount Barker sewerage project under way

31/3/96

The first of a number of projects designed to provide a greatly increased sewerage system for Mount Barker is about to start.

Water Resources Minister Roger Nicholls said today that the $800,000 project would bring sewerage facilities to 53 lots.

It would also provide three kilometres of sewerage pipes, a pumping station and a kilometre of pressure mains to link in with the existing network.

The work would be carried out for the Water Corporation by Lamac Developments of Bunbury and would be completed by the end of June.

Mr Nicholls said that at the moment only about 36 per cent of Mt Barker was connected to sewerage.

Because of the poor ground conditions in much of the town, the Shire of Plantagenet had asked the corporation to treat the town as a high priority under the Infill Sewerage Program.

Now in its second year, the Infill Sewerage Program will spend $800 million over 10 years to eliminate health and environmental risks posed by septic systems in Western Australia.

The Minister said that seepage from septic tanks posed significant risks in Mt Barker because the predominantly clay and gravel soils did not allow for infiltration. The result was that homeowners regularly pumped out their septic tanks to prevent seepage.

"This is the first of a number of Infill Sewerage projects that will be undertaken in the town over the next five years," Mr Nicholls said.

"The new pump station and pressure mains will add to the basic infrastructure to allow the rest of Mt Barker to be sewered.

"The lots to be sewered in the next few months are in an area bounded by Albany Highway, Oatland, Hassell and Ormond Streets.

"The contractor will work to keep inconvenience to a minimum, but there will be some disruption.

"Ultimately, the project will be of great benefit to householders and the community in general."

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 221 5468