Residents in Hyden (WA) will soon have access to an innovative wastewater disposal system that will reduce the potential health and environmental impact associated with the use of septic tanks.
WA Water Minister Mia Davies recently visited a home being connected to Western Australia’s first Septic Tank Effluent Disposal (STED) system – a $5.8million scheme made possible with $4.89million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program.
“Hyden’s STED scheme will take wastewater that has already been partially treated in household septic tanks through a pipeline system, which is then pumped to an evaporation and infiltration disposal pond system located outside of town,” she said.
“All 130 residential lots in Hyden are being connected to the scheme.”
Ms Davies said STED systems were typically used in rural towns and had been in operation in South Australia since 1962.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Hyden’s STED scheme had the potential to pave the way for effective wastewater disposal at significantly reduced costs for small rural towns across the State.
“The STED scheme is a practical and affordable wastewater system which is expected to be a long-term solution for wastewater management in areas with shallow groundwater, rock or clay soils,” Mr Redman said.
“The Hyden community will continue to benefit from this improved infrastructure and it reinforces the State Government’s commitment to growing and maintaining regional areas through Royalties for Regions investment.”
The Water Corporation completed construction of the Hyden STED scheme in March and all lots are expected to be connected to the scheme in late July 2014.
