http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/disease-a-threat-as-floods-overflow-sewage-systems/story-e6frg6nf-1111113722813
Water treatment plants throughout Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley had been unable to cope with “unprecedented” rainfall on Friday and Saturday, NSW Premier Morris Iemma said today.
OVERFLOWING sewage systems and flooding have sparked fears of disease in the aftermath of the savage holiday weekend storms across the NSW Central Coast, the Hunter and Sydney. Video: Leader tour flood zone (extended report) Video: Maitland flood crisis eases Video: Bulk carrier salvage preparations Graphic: Waterlogged state See the latest weather map Gallery: Wild weather
Water treatment plants throughout Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley had been unable to cope with “unprecedented” rainfall on Friday and Saturday, NSW Premier Morris Iemma said today.
Mr Morris Iemma said the situation was being closely monitored to prevent any outbreak of infection associated with the deluge. Many low-lying parts of the Central Coast were still waterlogged and sewerage systems were struggling to cope.
Davistown resident Luke Dunstan said while power had been restored to the suburb on Saturday night after a day-long blackout, residents were still being urged to use portaloos trucked to a local oval.
“They're just asking us not to use the toilets. There's about eight portaloos all bunched up down on the local cricket pitch,” he said.
Floodwaters and mud inundated houses at Wyee, with resident David Sutton saying his septic system backed up and overflowed through sections of his house, which was still without power.
“Lake Macquarie Council has a lot to answer for just for the fact that it has done nothing with the drainage and it has sent water straight down on to the houses,” he said.
Mr Sutton, who owns Sutton's Concrete, said he was unable to start cleaning up until insurance assessors visited the property, and in the meantime he and his wife and eight-year-old daughter were “camped” in the lounge room.
Mr Iemma said he had heard reports of problems with septic systems on the Central Coast that had resulted in an overflow of raw sewage.
“It is being diluted by the storm water, but at the moment there is not a public health risk,” he told Sky news.
“It is being monitored and action is being taken.
“Obviously one of the major concerns as we move to what is called the recovery phase is to prevent the outbreak of infection, but we've got doctors and public health experts who are working and also monitoring the situation which appears to be concentrated on the Central Coast.”
Davistown resident Luke Dunstan said while power had been restored to the suburb on Saturday night after a day-long blackout, residents were still being urged to use portaloos trucked to a local oval.
“They're just asking us not to use the toilets. There's about eight portaloos all bunched up down on the local cricket pitch,” he said.
Floodwaters and mud inundated houses at Wyee, with resident David Sutton saying his septic system backed up and overflowed through sections of his house, which was still without power.
“Lake Macquarie Council has a lot to answer for just for the fact that it has done nothing with the drainage and it has sent water straight down on to the houses,” he said.
Mr Sutton, who owns Sutton's Concrete, said he was unable to start cleaning up until insurance assessors visited the property, and in the meantime he and his wife and eight-year-old daughter were “camped” in the lounge room.
Mr Iemma said he had heard reports of problems with septic systems on the Central Coast that had resulted in an overflow of raw sewage.
“It is being diluted by the storm water, but at the moment there is not a public health risk,” he told Sky news.
“It is being monitored and action is being taken.
“Obviously one of the major concerns as we move to what is called the recovery phase is to prevent the outbreak of infection, but we've got doctors and public health experts who are working and also monitoring the situation which appears to be concentrated on the Central Coast.”
Meanwhile, flood-affected residents in Maitland, in the NSW Hunter Valley, have been warned that while the main threat has passed they should not be complacent about the danger of the fast-moving waters.
Police local area commander Superintendent Des Organ said residents returning to their homes should take care as conditions may have changed because of the flood waters.
Supt Organ said a number of evacuated residents had been given permission to return home this morning, but some areas were still considered unsafe.
“The areas of Lorn, central Maitland and South Maitland within the levee areas have been declared safe and residents evacuated are now returning,” Supt Organ told reporters.
“Any evacuated residents from outside those areas are advised to remain at the evacuation centres. At this time they are still not safe.”
Supt Organ said a number of evacuated residents had been given permission to return home this morning, but some areas were still considered unsafe.
“The areas of Lorn, central Maitland and South Maitland within the levee areas have been declared safe and residents evacuated are now returning,” Supt Organ told reporters.
“Any evacuated residents from outside those areas are advised to remain at the evacuation centres. At this time they are still not safe.”
Any evacuated residents from outside these areas are advised to remain at evacuation centres located at the East Maitland Community Centre and Maitland High School.
Authorities have warned residents returning to their homes of the need to be safety conscious as infrastructure may have become unstable due to the once-in-a-generation drenching of the region.
Emergency services are warning residents to exercise extreme caution when dealing with damaged electricity infrastructure or exposed wires and circuits. Water authorities have advised that supply and quality has not been compromised.
Meantime, NSW Police have repeated their request for people who are not Maitland residents to stay away from the region.
The actions of people sight-seeing around the flooded areas of Maitland and the Hunter Region are creating major problems for emergency services personnel attempting to repair flood damaged areas, restore services, and repatriate local residents.
Police are seeking the co-operation of the general public, and particularly those from outside the Hunter Region, to stay away and not treat the current crisis as an opportunity to sightsee or “rubber-neck”.
Authorities have warned residents returning to their homes of the need to be safety conscious as infrastructure may have become unstable due to the once-in-a-generation drenching of the region.
Emergency services are warning residents to exercise extreme caution when dealing with damaged electricity infrastructure or exposed wires and circuits. Water authorities have advised that supply and quality has not been compromised.
Meantime, NSW Police have repeated their request for people who are not Maitland residents to stay away from the region.
The actions of people sight-seeing around the flooded areas of Maitland and the Hunter Region are creating major problems for emergency services personnel attempting to repair flood damaged areas, restore services, and repatriate local residents.
Police are seeking the co-operation of the general public, and particularly those from outside the Hunter Region, to stay away and not treat the current crisis as an opportunity to sightsee or “rubber-neck”.
Many others further down the Hunter River are likely to have to leave their homes today. Flood waters are now moving further down into the Hexham and Raymond Terrace areas north of Newcastle.
Flood waters peaked at 10.7m, at Maitland, lower than the expected 11.4m prediction, and have since dropped to 10.55m, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
John Howard arrived in Maitland this morning to inspect the damage caused by severe storms and flooding. The Prime Minister touched down shortly before 11am and travelled to the local State Emergency Service headquarters to meet with staff and volunteers.
Mr Howard thanked a group of volunteers who had travelled from Broken Hill, in the NSW far west, to help.
“Thank you very much, it's terrific,” Mr Howard told the volunteers.
“Everybody has come from everywhere. Good luck and thanks a lot.”
Mr Howard was then taken inside the headquarters to receive a briefing from SES controllers.
The Hunter River was predicted to overflow the town's levee at 9pm last night but it did not peak as expected, with much of the flood water being diverted around Maitland into low-lying paddocks and parks surround the town.
Several hundred people spent the night in local evacuation centres, but most are expected to return to their homes and properties this morning. No floodwaters reached the main shopping centre, shops are now open and people are going about their business almost as if the worst storm for at least 30 years had never happened.
Many curious bystanders have gone to look at the swollen river, with the high-level water mark clearly visible.
Maitland local Tracey Sheen spent the night sleeping on the floor of the gymnasium at Maitland High School. She said that while she was reassured by the improving weather, she “was still worried because I have absolutely no idea if my home is OK”.
Mr Howard thanked a group of volunteers who had travelled from Broken Hill, in the NSW far west, to help.
“Thank you very much, it's terrific,” Mr Howard told the volunteers.
“Everybody has come from everywhere. Good luck and thanks a lot.”
Mr Howard was then taken inside the headquarters to receive a briefing from SES controllers.
The Hunter River was predicted to overflow the town's levee at 9pm last night but it did not peak as expected, with much of the flood water being diverted around Maitland into low-lying paddocks and parks surround the town.
Several hundred people spent the night in local evacuation centres, but most are expected to return to their homes and properties this morning. No floodwaters reached the main shopping centre, shops are now open and people are going about their business almost as if the worst storm for at least 30 years had never happened.
Many curious bystanders have gone to look at the swollen river, with the high-level water mark clearly visible.
Maitland local Tracey Sheen spent the night sleeping on the floor of the gymnasium at Maitland High School. She said that while she was reassured by the improving weather, she “was still worried because I have absolutely no idea if my home is OK”.
- with AAP
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