Lower Plenty residents can now switch from septic tanks to piped sewerage, saving maintenance hassles and benefiting the environment, thanks to works completed by Yarra Valley Water.
The modern piped sewerage system provides connection points for more than 200 households in Lower Plenty, with more to follow later this year.
Yarra Valley Water General Manager of Asset Services Bridie Fennessy said connecting to the sewerage system leads to significant benefits for households, the environment, the community, and health.
“Many homes in Lower Plenty were built before a sewerage system was available, meaning they’ve had to rely on septic systems that are now ageing and no longer fit for purpose,” Fennessy said. “Our new, modern sewerage system makes switching from septic systems easy and creates a more liveable environment for households and the broader community. It helps to protect public health and supports healthier local waterways by reducing wastewater leaks into the environment.”
Every household along the sewerage pipeline has a connection point, and Yarra Valley Water encourages residents to consider upgrading to the sewerage system in the same way they would other home improvements.
“Customers who have made the switch have said they noticed immediate benefits, and it made sense financially, with the cost of installing and maintaining septic systems being too high for some households,” Fennessy said. “Customers have also reported they experience greater peace of mind, especially around holiday times when family and friends visit and there is some concern their septic systems won’t cope with the added use.”
Yarra Valley Water Community Sewerage Program Manager Julie Bright said the Community Sewerage Program addresses longstanding issues for households and communities across Melbourne.
“We’re providing the opportunity for more customers to connect to a modern sewerage system every year, with nearly 4,000 households able to connect since 2018,” Bright said. “The new sewerage network means we can provide an economical and environmentally friendly way of transporting and disposing of wastewater from households in Lower Plenty. This removes potential risks to public health, local waterways and the environment from old septic systems that don’t meet current standards.”
Yarra Valley Water has worked in partnership with the Victorian Government and Banyule City Council to ensure customers can take advantage of a modern system and move off septic tanks now or when their current system starts to fail. Telltale signs that a septic system is not functioning properly include noticeable odours, boggy patches, and soggy backyards.
The work commenced construction in October 2023 and has added 9.15 kilometres of underground pipes to the sewerage network. The final stage of work will involve a small booster pump station, which will enable an additional 17 properties to connect later this year.
For more information about Yarra Valley Water’s Community Sewerage Program, please visit www.yvw.com.au/connect-sewer
