Coliban Water has completed construction work on the Reckleben Street Sewerage Backlog Program in Castlemaine, with properties now able to connect to the sewer network.
Coliban Water Manager Infrastructure Delivery Corey Bourne said Mount Alexander Shire Council had developed a Domestic Wastewater Management Plan to identify un-sewered areas that were high risk from a public health and environmental perspective.
“Many of the properties in the Reckleben Street area were built before sewage services were available and use septic or other onsite systems to manage their domestic wastewater,” Mr Bourne said.
“We’ve constructed 1.35km of sewer main to enable properties on Reckleben, Chapman, Brown, Butterworth, McEwan, Gaffney and Crag Streets to connect to our network. The total project cost is $700,000.
“By connecting to our sewer network, residents will have a safer and more environmentally friendly way to manage their domestic wastewater.”
Construction work started in October 2015 with the sewer main being installed by boring, a trenchless technique that reduces excavation and prevents damage to trees and root systems.
“During construction we encountered some unexpected site conditions resulting in additional design changes and delays to the project.
“With the construction work now complete we will be writing to property owners within the next few weeks outlining how to connect to the system.
“A licensed plumber can arrange the connection and the Department of Health and Human Services offers one-off grants to assist eligible households with the cost of connecting,” Mr Bourne said.
Coliban Water is also working with City of Greater Bendigo on un-sewered area areas identified as high risk.
The Backlog Sewerage Program has included an extension of the sewer network to connect 49 properties in Markovitch Lane, Junortoun, which was completed in September 2014.
A consultation process to discuss the program is currently underway with residents, businesses and property owners in various locations in Heathcote.
