Sewerage Odours – Bargara Generally
I’ve recently received a considerable amount of feedback from (primarily) Bargara residents complaining of sewerage odours emanating from their shower, basin, bath or floor waste. Where I’ve been given an address or street location, they’ve been plotted on a map to see if there is any common element. Unfortunately, they’re all over the place which doesn’t help much.
Council officers have advised me that if all the water traps fitted to drains on private properties are correctly installed with water retained in U-bends, it should be impossible for odours to enter from Council’s sewerage mains. Even if there is an increase of odour in the mains, it should dissipate through the vent pipe(s) fitted around your building. Having said that, I’ve checked all the outlets in our own house and ensured that the vent pipe isn’t blocked but we still have odour issues so it’s time for me to do some more exploring and inspect or treat each separate outlet pipe.
Because the issue appears to be so widespread I’ve asked our officers to put together an advice notice on Council’s website for affected residents which basically describes a maintenance regime for waste water outlets and how to identify the causes of possible issues. For example, a lot of people (and particularly the elderly) don’t use their baths very often. If the bath is fitted with its own U-bend it’s possible for the water in it to dry up over a period which would basically remove the ‘trap’ and allow odour to pass through and emit from the plug hole. The notice will take 2 -3 weeks to compile and upload so please don’t go looking for it just yet.
If in doubt, I suggest engaging the services of a licensed plumber to inspect the waste water system on your property.
Sewerage Odours – Hughes Road/Beach Milieu
On a separate but somewhat related issue, Council has identified a build up of odour in the Hughes Road sewerage mains caused by a failure of some in-line infrastructure which will now be repaired. It’s possible that this is overloading the carbon scrubbers (odour removal system) in the Hughes Road Sewerage Pump Station which could explain why some nearby residents and particularly those in Beach Milieu are being adversely affected from odours external to their dwellings. This issue won’t account for any odours emanating from internal waste water outlets for the reason that I’ve described above (internal water traps). I’ve requested that the remedial work be undertaken as soon as possible as the cooler weather and typical drop in winds over winter will provide a thermal blanket which holds odours closer to ground level. This is particularly noticeable overnight and in the early mornings.
Please feel free to call me on 0488 539 123 or Council’s Water & Waste Water Department through the Council switch on 1300 883`699 if you require further information.