Over the years, ITC has received queries about foul smells near Epping Road (usually near the Mowbray Road/Epping Road intersection). They are usually related to a wastewater issue, and we contact Sydney Water or urge residents to contact Sydney Water via Snap Send Solve.
Now Sydney Water is taking action to upgrade its wastewater system. They will invest $180 Million into five key catchment areas, with the Lane Cove Catchment area deemed one of the priority catchments.
Sydney Water believes that the Lane Cove Catchment will soon see an improvement in the performance of its wastewater system as they deliver the third and final stage of the Wastewater Fix program.
The program is designed to find the best ways to reduce the amount of stormwater entering our wastewater system.
Sydney Waters Lead Planner for Integrated Planning North, Milroy Jayaveerasingam, said the upgrade to their system ensures they focus on improving and repairing our wastewater system.
“When it rains, stormwater can get into our wastewater pipes, and the system can overload. This can cause wastewater to overflow onto private properties,” Mr Jayaveerasingam said.
Smoke Testing
Work involves smoke testing and visual checks to further assess where stormwater is entering our wastewater pipes.
“Smoke testing is currently underway in the Lane Cove priority catchment,” Mr Jayaveerasingam said.
“Small amounts of environmentally safe smoke is pumped into the private wastewater system from an inspection opening or maintenance hole. It will show if the pipe has an issue if the smoke escapes and becomes visible above the ground. The photo below shows that the pipe is broken as smoke is escaping.
Sydney Water technicians are smoke testing over 8,500 properties in the Lane Cove priority catchment. (See our cover photo).
Over the coming months, you may see our crews working tirelessly in your street to deliver this final stage,” Mr Jayaveerasingam said.
Final inspections are expected to be complete by mid-2023.
Sydney Water put controls in place to stop stormwater entering wastewater assets, including maintenance holes, Emergency Relief Structures and cross-connections at 42 sites in late 2022. Sydney Water is continuing to inspect over seven kilometres of wastewater pipes and 769 maintenance holes, to identify and complete further repairs.
The Five priority catchments are:
- Prospect Creek
- Upper Parramatta
- Mid Parramatta
- Lane Cove
- Mosman Peninsula and Lower Middle Harbour.
If you see the smoke test in your street, please let us know at [email protected]
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