14 April 2011
Boosting Capacity of Melbourne’s North to Deal with Storms
The ability of Melbourne’s north to deal with major downpours will be boosted by the end of this year, once a 12.5km new sewer running through the Merri Creek Valley, from Coburg to Reservoir and Moonee Ponds Creek at Pascoe Vale is complete.
Melbourne Water Project Director Mike Filby said the $650 million Northern Sewerage Project – funded jointly by Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Water – would virtually eliminate the need to spill from the sewerage system into local creeks after extremely heavy rain.
“When it rains, most stormwater is taken away via the drainage system and put into waterways,” said Mr Filby.
“Some stormwater also gets into the sewerage system, and if the rain is particularly heavy, it can quickly fill our sewerage pipes and build pressure.
“To prevent sewage backing up into houses, the system is designed to reduce pressure by releasing into local creeks at discrete locations.
“This is very much a last resort but it’s an important failsafe that protects people’s homes and businesses.”
Yarra Valley Water Project Manager David Elliot, said that construction at the Northern Sewerage Project was running ahead of schedule and is now expected to be completed by the end of 2011, up to six months earlier than expected.
“A big part of what people contribute to with their water bills are projects like this, that will ultimately keep up with population growth and protect our waterways,” said Mr Elliot.
On 12 April, Melbourne Water advised of spills of heavily diluted sewage into Merri Creek at Coburg and Moonee Ponds Creek at Pascoe Vale, after most of April’s rainfall fell in a matter of hours. A full cleanup of the area has since been completed.
Mr Filby said that while releases of what is mostly stormwater from the sewerage system are rare in Melbourne, the ability of sewers in Melbourne’s north to deal with heavy rainfall had been pushed to the limit by substantial growth and development in the area.
“The northern suburbs have grown exponentially, which is why they have become more vulnerable to spills after some of the record-breaking rain events we’ve had recently,” he added.
Melbourne Water is also investing $220 million into replacing Melbourne’s Main Sewer – which is scheduled to be completed in 2012.
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