A sewage spill in Perth has caused significant pollution, affecting the Swan River and the Fremantle Sailing Club. The incident began when a sewer pipe ruptured in Beaconsfield last Friday, leading to a pool of human waste forming and contaminating local waterways. The Water Corporation has issued warnings against recreational activities, including fishing, in the affected areas.
Concerns arose after an initial pipe failure on Hamilton Road in Spearwood resulted in sewage leaking into nearby waterways. Despite efforts to address the problem, the issue in Beaconsfield has persisted for four days, necessitating immediate action from the Water Corporation, which has had to turn off the affected pipes.
Dean Stacey, the Water Corporation’s media and external affairs manager, noted that repairs are complicated. Instead of a quick fix, a new section of pipeline needs to be prefabricated to resolve the problem. As a result, sewage is also contaminating the Swan River from drains along Dunkley Avenue in Applecross and Burke Drive in Alfred Cove, contributing to the pollution at the Fremantle Sailing Club and onto South Terrace in South Fremantle.
Local residents are understandably frustrated by the situation. One individual reported a strong smell in the area, and another shared concerns over the difficulty of avoiding the unpleasant odours given their proximity to the pollution. Stacey acknowledged the disruption caused by the spill, emphasising the corporation’s commitment to working closely with health and environmental regulators to manage the crisis.
While the sewage spill is currently contained, residents are apprehensive about the potential for further spread, especially with rain forecasted for tomorrow. The Water Corporation aims to complete repairs to the Spearwood pipe soon, allowing for clean-up and sanitation efforts to commence.