Work starts on a modern sewerage system for Eltham South

Yarra Valley Water is building a new piped sewerage system in Eltham South, which will benefit around 300 properties.

Once works finish, eligible households can connect to the new sewerage system, so they can flush and let Yarra Valley Water take care of their wastewater.

Yarra Valley Water General Manager of Growth Futures, Chris Brace said the new sewerage system will have a number of benefits for both locals and the environment.

“Connecting to the new sewerage system will boost convenience for customers and benefit the environment.

“Odours and pollution in waterways from septic tanks that aren’t working properly will be a thing of the past once customers transfer to the new system,” Mr Brace said.

The sewer system in Eltham South is being constructed from west to east, and customers will be able to connect progressively over the next one to two years.

Yarra Valley Water’s project has been carefully scheduled to prioritise the Main Road and Jayson Avenue area to minimise conflicts with unrelated road works that have recently started in the area.

After an initial design identified the potential loss of up to 200 trees, the engineering team investigated how to avoid the trees and vegetation and redesigned the project.

The new sewer will be constructed using trenchless drilling methods that bore beneath ground level as well as smart pressure sewer technologies to minimise disruption to the environment and the community. The project will now not result in the loss of any trees.

The smart pressure sewer system being installed includes remote monitoring of every household’s pressure pump. This smart system allows any maintenance issues to be addressed without customers needing to notify Yarra Valley Water. 

Properties that are suitable to continue using onsite wastewater treatment can choose to retain a working and maintained septic system or can connect voluntarily to the new sewerage network. 

More information about Yarra Valley Water’s Community Sewerage Program can be found at yvw.com.au/csp