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This is a major win for the communities of Poowong, Loch & Nyora. They now have a state-of-the-art sewage system to bolster their towns and benefit the environment

Small Town Sewerage Scheme

South Gippsland Water

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Project Overview

For South Gippsland Water, providing sewerage services to the rural communities of Poowong, Loch and Nyora has been a journey of challenges, consultation, and adjustment over several years. In the towns, waste from failing household septic tanks was polluting groundwater, waterways and the environment. 

In 2013, the cost of South Gippsland Water’s capital works for the Poowong, Loch & Nyora Sewerage Scheme was reviewed by the Essential Services Commission and considered “to be costly” and “further examination of potentially more cost effective options” was requested. In response, South Gippsland Water embarked on a review process to improve the cost benefit ratio of the Poowong, Loch and Nyora Sewerage Scheme. 

Key messages

  • Eliminating the use of onsite septic tanks improved the liveability of Poowong, Loch and Nyora by minimising the risk of household sewage polluting the environment through ageing, failing and poorly maintained septic tanks.
  • Using innovative design and delivery resulted in cost savings for both partner organisations.
  • Informing and engaging with stakeholders throughout all stages of the project helped to gain community support.

Organisations

The project owner and manager was South Gippsland Water, and South East Water delivered the project.

Project Cost

The Poowong Loch Nyora Sewerage Scheme was delivered at a total cost of $16M.

Timeframe

The project ran from November 2014 to July 2016.