Kenwick families report sewage and floodwater under homes while they continue to wait for Stage 2 of the long-delayed sewer upgrade.
Resident advocate Simone Perkins said this winter’s heavy rains and high-water table had left households struggling with flooded leach drains, smells inside their homes and toilets that will not flush. Some families have had to hire portable toilets, while others are paying extra to have their septic tanks drained more often.
Mr Manoj Purohit, who owns a property near the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands, said his tenants recently noticed a strong smell and water pooling under the house.
“Last Sunday night I got a phone call from my tenants at the property that the foul smell is coming from under the house. So, they took some of the flooring off and saw there was about 4-5inches of water were stored,” he said.
“So my plumber had to drain out the water with the submersible pump and bought a motor as well. He mentioned that he pumped out about half of swimming pool water from underneath the house. He also said that he couldn’t find the source, where water was coming from.”
Mr Purohit said he had seen a nearby block on Parks Street filled with water and was “thinking that water may be gradually moving towards my property.”
Ms Perkins said Stage 2 of the Kenwick sewer project, which would connect homes to deep sewerage and ease pressure on septic systems, had not moved beyond the design phase. She said residents were worried the delays could also affect the nearby wetlands, which are recognised as a nationally significant conservation site.
The Water Corporation confirmed the tender process for Stage 1 had closed and submissions were being reviewed. A spokesperson said the outcome of Stage 1 would “inform the timing for Stage 2”.
“In parallel, we are continuing to advance the detailed design and prepare tender documentation to support the delivery of Stage 2,” the spokesperson said.
Cannington MLA Ron Sao said residents were updated three weeks ago about the closure of the bid process of Stage 1. He noted the updated timeframes will be shared with residents once a contract is awarded. He added that detailed design and tender documents for Stage 2 are also being prepared in parallel.
The City of Gosnells said it had long advocated for the sewer line on behalf of residents, and added that residents should relay their concerns to Water Corporation directly.
“The City is not party to ongoing negotiations between Water Corporation, Main Roads WA and the Public Transport Authority as the sewer needs to be constructed under Albany Highway and the Perth-Armadale railway line,” the City’s Chief Executive Officer said.
In a further response to the Examiners’ questions, Acting Chief Executive Officer Grant Bradbrook said: “The City is very much aware of the longstanding issues some Kenwick residents have experienced with their septic systems, which is why the City has consistently advocated for the area to be connected to sewer.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation said local governments are responsible for regulating septic and sewerage treatment systems in areas not connected to the sewer network, including undertaking environmental assessments where required.
“DWER has not received any reports of septic-related incidents in the Kenwick area,” the spokesperson said.
