Sewage spill at Killcare
Sewage spilled into a creek at Killcare in October after cracks in a concrete surrounding a rusted steel sewerage pipe developed into a hole.
The spill was revealed in the Hardys Bay Residents' Group newsletter.
Newsletter editor Mr Allan Wilson said water quality testing in the bay remained a key priority for the group following the overflow in the vicinity of Noble Rd, Killcare, on Sunday, October 14.
"Hardys Bay Residents Group member Brent Walker is spearheading a committed campaign to rid the waters of bacterial contamination to ensure the precious environment of the tranquil haven and, essentially, the health of its community," said Mr Wilson
Following the sewage overflow, which Mr Wilson said was noticed by a resident who was walking across the wooden bridge in Noble Rd, tankers were used to take the sewage from the Owanda Crescent sewage pumping station's holding tanks across to another facility in Kincumber.
"Meanwhile, Gosford Council sewage maintenance staff used a front end loader to uncover the concreted steel pipe under the creek bed," said Mr Wilson.
"Part of the concrete had split, leaving a hole approximately 150mm in diameter.
"The section of the leaking pipe was then replaced and re-concreted.
"Asked what had happened to the pipe, a workman advised that it had rusted through and had probably been leaking through cracks in the concrete for some time.
"This could explain the very high readings of e-coli and other coliforms that occurred at this water testing site over the last two years.
"The pipe, which was laid 23 years ago, was supposedly manufactured to last for 100 years.
"Brent re-tested the site on October 28 and noticed that there was a dead duck floating in the water which smelled as if it still contained sewage.
"The subsequent test results showed very high readings of e-coli and other coliforms.
"This water has remained contaminated because the creek is so silted up that high tides can no longer reach the bridge.
"There also hadn't been any worthwhile rain to flush out the creek," said Mr Wilson.
Gosford Council water and sewer project communication officer Mr Nathan Slade said the sewer system had been operating as normal since it was repaired.
"As a precaution, temporary warning signs were put up in the area to advise the community that the waters of Hardys Bay, in the vicinity of the overflow, might be polluted," said Mr Slade.
"Council monitored water quality at six locations in the area for around two days following the overflow.
"During these monitoring activities, laboratory sample results showed water quality in the affected area of Hardys Bay had returned to normal and the temporary warning signs were taken down.
"The community can be assured that all relevant authorities were notified about the overflow immediately, including the NSW Environment Protection Authority, in line with Council's pollution response procedures," said Mr Slade.
Mr Wilson said Brent's monitoring tests for RSL Creek also showed very high e-coli and coliform contamination and he consequently contacted Gosford Council.
"They advised that the pipe used under RSL creek could not have rusted through as it is heavy duty plastic encased in concrete.
"Sewage at that end of the bay is fed by gravity to the pump station on the esplanade so if there was a crack it would cause water to leak into the pipe rather than sewage to flow out of it.
"Council have undertaken to reinvestigate the cause of the continuing pollution at this creek," said Mr Wilson.
Media Statement, 19 Dec 2012
Nathan Slade, Gosford Council
Newsletter, 12 Dec 2012
Allan Wilson, Hardys Bay Residents Group