Flush 3Ps only says TasWater after smelly episode

Sharon Webb

Bad smells wafting over Westbury and sewage bubbling up in gardens during July’s wet weather was caused by residents flushing prohibited items down their toilets, TasWater said.

The blockage near Westbury’s sewage treatment plant was caused by wet wipes, sanitary items and tree roots.

‘We have taken steps to prevent a recurrence including increased planned maintenance, CCTV surveillance of the sewer line and monitoring of flow into the sewage treatment plant,’ a TasWater spokesperson said.

‘We would like to remind Tasmanians that when flushing, only flush toilet paper. Flushing wet wipes, sanitary items and anything other than pee, poo and toilet paper (3Ps) risks blocking both the household pipes as well as TasWater’s sewerage system.

‘They remain a problem right up until we have to sift them out when they reach the sewage treatment plant.’

After a gully trap spewed sewage into a Westbury garden, TasWater flushed out the street’s sewage pipes. The householder said, ‘The blockage was a lot further downstream than us, so it had backed up a considerable way. TasWater brought in a giant jet machine and advised us to put our toilet seats down in case the backward water pressure sprayed out!’

TasWater said recent sewage problems did not indicate the system would come under strain if the proposed Northern Regional Prison is built on Birralee Road.

They say that both the Westbury sewage and water treatment plants have the capacity to deal with increased development in the area. Taswater will have no role in the prison development until a site is confirmed and a development application is lodged.

For a week after the blockage TasWater crews continued to dose the affected area with deodoriser to reduce the smell. TasWater said only five Westbury residents had complained about odour or sewage issues since January 2018.