Suspected water overflow from the Corowa Sewage Treatment Plant entering storm water drains and property, subsequently flowing towards the Murray River.
Residents living near the Corowa Sewage Treatment Plant have raised alarm bells over concerns that overflow from the ageing facility is seeping into the environment and could ultimately be polluting the Murray River.
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The plant located between Nixon St, Enfield St and Spring Drive Corowa was constructed in 1939, and due to its age, is struggling to accommodate the demands of Corowa’s growing population, leading to fears of contamination with the overflow in the region’s vital waterways.
Neighbouring property owners told the Free Press they have expressed their concerns to Federation Council and the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regarding the potential environmental hazards associated with the outdated plant.
Their grievances range from worries about overflows from the outdated facility into stormwater drains, to water quality issues and severe drainage problems in nearby properties. This ongoing situation has left downstream residential landowners, stretching all the way to Mulwala, concerned and frustrated by the perceived inaction of local authorities in addressing their concerns.
Despite Federation Council refuting any knowledge of residents’ worries, the Free Press was informed of a complaint that was lodged approximately a year ago, from a residential property owner living near the plant which prompted action from the EPA.
In response to the escalating concerns, a spokesperson from the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) stated that they are investigating the concerns.
“The EPA is investigating a recent complaint about discharges of treated effluent from the Corowa Sewage Treatment Plant,” a spokesperson said.
Murky coloured water near Skehan Lane Corowa.
“EPA officers conducted on-site investigations at the treatment plant this week, including water sampling.”
Previous tests carried out by the Federation Council on similar discharges last year revealed that they fell within acceptable faecal coliform limits for treatment plants discharging into waterways.
“Additionally, the EPA is collaborating with the Federation Council to find a long-term solution to the issue.”
Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler acknowledged that an investigation into the incident at the Corowa Sewer Treatment Plant is in progress.
“Council learned through media reports that concerned residents were alleging sewage effluent was entering a drain near the treatment plant,” he stated.
“Upon receiving this information, our staff promptly initiated an inquiry and reached out to the EPA. We emphasise that council does not possess a permit to discharge treated irrigation water from this site into stormwater.
“Any such action would only be undertaken under exceptional or emergency circumstances with EPA approval.”
Sandbagging placed at the top of the Corowa ponds.
Mr Butler underlined the challenges faced by the facility due to consecutive years of heavy rainfall and flooding.
“Council is actively managing the issues at this site in collaboration with key authorities and stakeholders,” he reassured.
“We encourage residents to formally report any incidents, as we have yet to receive any direct communication from concerned individuals.
“Council is well aware that the infrastructure at our Corowa Treatment Plant is dated, and this is why council has engaged NSW Public Works to assist us in designing a new plant. I look forward to providing further updates as this project progresses.”
As the investigation unfolds, local residents remain watchful, hoping for swift and effective measures to address their contamination concerns that have cast a shadow over the region’s environment and water resources.
