Kew-Kendall Sewerage Scheme Improves River Water Quality

February 2, 2007

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council says there's been a big improvement in the water quality of the Camden Haven River since the opening of the Kew-Kendall Sewerage Scheme four years ago.

The process of monitoring the water quality involved tracking the levels of faecal coliforms - bacteria that indicate the microbiological quality of water and commonly used to monitor the presence of pollution associated with sewage, septic tanks, and urban and rural run-off.

River testing downstream of the plant at Kendall RSL and the boat ramp has shown faecal coliform levels have decreased on average by up to 36 per cent since the commissioning of the sewerage scheme, according to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's Sewerage Manager Jeffery Sharp.

The improvements are being attributed primarily to reduced septic-system discharge from the village as a result of the new sewerage scheme.

"This decrease is significant considering that on average around 50 per cent of the current faecal coliform levels recorded downstream of the villages can be attributed to upstream catchment sources," Mr Sharp said.

Upstream catchment sources include rural run-off and native wildlife.

The Kew-Kendall sewerage scheme became fully operational in 2002. The project was necessary due to significant growth in the area and the impact of failing existing sewerage systems in both Kew and Kendall villages on the Camden Haven River.