Sewer Design
What power does South East Water have to construct sewers?
Doesn't South East Water need an easement to lay sewers?
Will I have an opportunity to comment on the sewer design?
Pressure Sewer Systems
How is a pressure sewer system different to a gravity sewer system?
Where have pressure sewer systems been used before?
Where are the pump units located? What will be visible?
Do I have to look after the pump unit?
How is the power supplied to the pump unit?
What ongoing costs will I have to pay after connection?
What will the Pressure Sewerage Project cost me?
What happens if there is a power failure?
How often do the pumps operate? What happens if they fail?
Where will the control box be located? What does it look like?
Are the pump units and controls safe?
Do the pump units smell or make a noise?
What sort of disruption should I expect when the pressure sewer network is constructed?
What process do I have to go through to connect to the pressure sewer system?
Sewer Construction
What impact will sewer construction have on my property?
When will the sewers be constructed?
What power does South East Water have to construct sewers?
South East Water is empowered to enter properties and construct sewers by the Water Industry Act 1994. Copies of this Act may be freely obtained on the Internet at the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents Website: www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au or by contacting the Department of Sustainability and Environment on free-call 136 186.
Doesn't South East Water need an easement to lay sewers?
No. Where required, South East Water can lay sewer pipes in properties without easements. The location of easements is often not suitable for sewers. In addition, they are often already occupied by stormwater drains or other assets.
Yes. During the design phase of your project, South East Water's consulting engineers will be contacting you to organise opportunities for you to make comment. In addition, information about the project will be sent to you regularly in newsletters.
Our design consultants will provide you with a plan of your property showing where the sewers, and your connection point, will be located. You can provide feedback about this plan either in writing, or you can discuss it in person at our Customer Open Day.
The Customer Open Day will be held in your area towards the end of the design phase of your project. We will advise you about the date and venue once it has been organised. The Open Day will provide you with an opportunity to:
. View plans of the project area.
. Talk to the design engineers and to South East Water staff about the project.
How is a pressure sewer system different to a gravity sewer system?
Gravity system
Pipelines are laid on a grade to a pumping station or large diameter trunk sewer main.
Minimum pipeline grades must be maintained to ensure that the flow velocities are such that solids don't settle and odours created.
Pressure Sewer system
Each property is provided with a small tank with a pump unit installed to which all their household wastewater is diverted. The tank fills and when a certain level is reached the pump unit is activated (pumping waste out of the property) and the level reduced to a point where the pump stops.
Where have pressure sewer systems been used before?
To date, South East Water has successfully installed pressure sewer systems to service the entire townships of Tooradin, Warneet and Cannons Creek. Smaller pressure sewer systems have also been installed in Portsea. Pressure sewer technology is also being used Australia wide by Sydney Water and a number of rural water authorities.
Where are the pump units located? What will be visible?
It is important to have the small control box readily accessible and within eyesight of the pump unit for safety reasons. Typically, they are installed on the outside of the house similar to an electrical switchboard. The control boxes are only about 200mm square and 100mm deep. We will specify a neutral colour so they can blend in with the surroundings as much as possible.
FAQ Index
Do I have to look after the pump unit?
No. The pump unit and connecting pipe to the main line in the street is owned and operated by South East Water. You are only responsible for the gravity service pipe work connecting your house outlets to the pump unit. This is the same as if it were a gravity system.
You will be responsible for ensuring that the pump unit can be readily accessible at all times. (This is the same where a maintenance access pit is located on your property in a gravity system.)
How is the power supplied to the pump unit?
As part of the installation of the pump unit South East Water's contractors will provide power to the unit via a separate circuit from your household electrical switchboard.
What ongoing costs will I have to pay after connection?
Once connected, you will have to meet ongoing standard sewer service and disposal charges and approximately $25-30 per year (estimated for average family household) for additional power costs to run the pump unit. As at 1 July 2005, the costs for a residential property are: sewerage service charge of $36.75 per quarter and the sewerage disposal charge of 94.04 cents per kilolitre. South East Water will own, operate and maintain the pump unit and connecting pressure pipework.
What will the Pressure Sewerage Project cost me?
Most of the cost to construct the sewerage system will be met by South East Water. However, all customers within the project area will be required to make a financial contribution. Currently this contribution is set at $500 for all backlog sewerage projects, with this contribution included in your quarterly water and sewerage charges bill at $25 per quarter for five years.
As compensation for your additional power costs and to encourage property owners to connect as soon as possible, South East Water may waive all or part of the financial contribution.
If you connect your property to the sewer system within the first 12 months from the time the sewer is available, the full $500 financial contribution will be waived. However, if you do not connect within the first 12 months the financial contribution will commence at $25 per quarter and will continue until either: a) your property is connected to the sewer system; or b) you complete all instalment payments of the $500 financial contribution.
What happens if there is a power failure?
In the event of a power outage you are still able to use your facilities such as showers and toilets, etc. It is worth noting that in these circumstances appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers will not be operating.
The tanks will be sized to allow a minimum of 24 hours capacity of storage before filling. This will allow for continued use for long power outage periods. On restoration of power the pump will start and quickly pump down to normal operating levels.
How often do the pumps operate? What happens if they fail?
The frequency of pump operation is dependant on use. Early morning and evening are typically peak periods. The units used in similar systems operate, on average, about ten times per day. When the pump operating level is reached, the pump will run for one or two minutes. If for any reason the pumps or pump controls fail, then the level in the tank will rise to a point where an alarm will be triggered. A service operator would attend to the pump unit and rectify any problem. If the problems are found to be difficult to solve the pump or control unit can be easily replaced on site.
Where will the control box be located? What does it look like?
It is important to have the small control box readily accessible and within eyesight of the pump unit for safety reasons. Typically, they are installed on the outside of the house similar to an electrical switchboard. The control boxes are only about 200mm square and 100mm deep. We will specify a neutral colour so they can blend in with the surroundings as much as possible.
Are the pump units and controls safe?
Yes. The pump units will be secured so that only South East Water personnel or their contractors can access them. The control box will be locked and only accessible to South East Water personnel or their contractors.
Do the pump units smell or make a noise?
Pump units will be located below the ground so you will be virtually unable to hear it. The unit is vented to avoid any odour problems. In areas where similar systems have been installed, property owners have not reported any odour or noise problems in the four years since they have been in operation.
What sort of disruption should I expect when the pressure sewer network is constructed?
With the adoption of a pressure sewer system the disruption will be minimised due to the pipelines being installed within the road reserves and not back yards. Typically, the pipes will be laid about one metre deep and will be predominantly installed using trenchless technology. In most cases, based on our experience, pipelines within a street can be installed and the area restored within the same day.
What process do I have to go through to connect to the pressure sewer system?
When the sewer system is made available for you to connect, South East Water will notify you and provide you with documentation to assist your application to connect. After you make an application to connect, South East Water staff will consult with you regarding the location of the pump unit, control box and connecting pipe work.
As part of the installation phase of the project, we will arrange for an electrical audit of your existing switchboard to assess its capability to accommodate the extra circuit. Some minor upgrades may be required and South East Water will meet the cost of these. If there is major work required then discussions with the property owner would be undertaken prior to any work being commenced.
What impact will sewer construction have on my property?
Constructing sewers entails the excavation of deep trenches by large excavators. This often results in a considerable mess - but only temporarily!
We give you an undertaking that all areas affected by the works will be reinstated to as near as practicable to their original condition. Our contractors will provide replacement trees and shrubs where construction activity causes damage or removal of existing plants.
While works are in the vicinity of your property, we undertake to ensure that:
. Disturbance will be kept to a minimum;
. The worksite will be protected to ensure the safety of children and animals;
. You and your visitors can gain access to your property at all times;
. Your property is reinstated as soon as possible after works are complete.
When will the sewers be constructed?
Indicative construction dates for your project are shown on the Project Information page.
Please note that these dates are indicative only. Construction is subject to many factors, including the availability of funds, and the weather. The Project information page will be updated regularly. Please feel free to re-visit from time to time, to obtain the latest available information about your project.