Sewage spill contained near Barwon River

Update 5 pm, Monday, 26 August  2024.

Our latest water quality test results from today's sampling in the Barwon River indicate that water quality in the river are in line with the river's normal levels.

As such, we've removed the advisory signs along sections of the river.

We thank our local community for their patience and understanding while we worked to resolve this issue.

Let's avoid these nasty blockages in the future, please remember to only flush the three Ps - pee, poo or (toilet) paper.  Anything else should go in the bin! For more information on keeping our sewers healthy head to Don't flush it!

To report an emergency or fault (including a sewer spill), we’re available 24×7 on 1300 656 007 or Report a fault

Friday, 26 August  2024.

Barwon Water has resolved a sewage spill near Fernleigh Street and McIntyre Bridge in Newtown, Geelong.

The spill was crossing a small section of the Barwon River Walking Trail and flowing into the river on Thursday afternoon, due to multiple blockages in the sewerage system.

We responded quickly, with emergency crews creating a diversion to direct flows into a nearby sewer pump station.

There was no impact on our services, with customers unaffected.

To allow us to clean up the area as quickly as possible, public access to the walking trail was restricted, with traffic management and advisory signage in place.

Barwon Water has advised regular user groups to take a safety-first approach and avoid the river, as we monitor water quality results over the coming days.

We thank the local community for their support and patience, as we ensure the wider area is clean and safe to access.

Crews worked through the night to clear the large blockages, which were created by a build-up of non-flushable wet wipes, sanitary items, food scraps, fats and oils, and other waste.

Reactive sewer blockages cost Barwon Water about $600,000 per year, largely due to non-flushable products getting stuck in the system.

Barwon Water General Manager Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure David Snadden said the incident was a reminder of the importance of keeping the sewerage system healthy.

“When people flush things like wet wipes, tissues, rags, paper towel and rubbish, it causes blockages that can lead to sewage spilling into streets and public places,” he said.

“These blockages are expensive and time consuming to fix and can also impact on our natural environments.”

Toilets and drains are not designed to handle anything that doesn’t break down in the sewerage system.

Barwon Water’s “Don’t Flush It!” campaign encourages customers to put these items in the bin, as they don’t break down in the sewerage system.

People should only flush the 3Ps – Pee, Poo and (toilet) Paper.

For more information, visit www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/sewage/dont-flush-it

A sewage spill near Fernleigh Street and McIntyre Bridge in Newtown has been resolved.