Ponds ‘pass’ the smell test
TREASURER Nicole Manison said she was satisfied with Power and Water’s progress with works to fix the problems at the Leanyer sewage treatment ponds.
The ponds have been the subject of dozens of complaints from northern suburbs residents because of a foul-smelling odour.
Last month Ms Manison issued a Treasurer’s Direction to Power and Water to fix the problems at the Leanyer sewage ponds, saying residents have put up with the stench for too long.
This week she inspected the facility with Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis
“I am pleased to see progress on the $15.4 million upgrade to improve the wastewater treatment process and reduce the occurrence of odour,” she said.
“This has been a significant issue for residents in the area.
“Power and Water demonstrated how they are increasing desludging efforts, and were experimenting with dif- ferent forms of aeration for the ponds.
“They are also trialling the spraying and pumping of an odour-masking agent into the primary treatment ponds. As this work progresses, Power and Water will likely land on a better solution for reducing the odour from the pond.
“Work has started on the construction of the new inlet works, which will assist in removing solids from wastewater before it enters the ponds. The accumulation of these solids in the ponds is one factor in causing increased odours around the ponds.
“Power and Water is also investigating using a mix of mulch and sanitised dry sludge to assist in planting natives to create a thicker vegetation barrier around the facility.”
Ms Manison said Power and Water advised they regularly pulled salties from the water, and the ponds were teeming with fish and bird life.
Cr Vatskalis, who became the voice behind the campaign to fix the odour problem, said he would continue to follow the progress of remedial work until the problem was completely sorted.
Cr Vatskalis, who is an environmental scientist, said he lodged a complaint with the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority because the situation was intolerable.
“Other cities have waste water treatment facilities but they do not have the same problem that is happening here,” he said.