Town:  Seaspray, Victoria

Location: 242 kilometres east of Melbourne and is situated on 90-mile beach, predominantly a holiday spot during the summer.

Population: 322

Client: Gippsland Water

Council: Shire of Wellington

Year: 2007

Scope: The design and construction of a reticulation and collection system for the existing dwellings and allotments within the village of Seaspray.

Environmental Factors: Seaspray is a low-lying salt estuary which has a sand dune to the South and Merriman Creek to the West which at times blocks with sand from the ocean causing localised flooding during king tidal movement. Soil profile was sand, peat and heavy clays preventing the septic systems from operating correctly.

PSSA Solution:  Installation of pressure sewer pump stations to all allotments and the directional drilling of the reticulated sewerage network in water charged ground. Connection of all property wastewater drains to the new pressure sewer system and decommissioning of the onsite septic systems.

Environmental Outcomes: Post completion saw local road spoon drains improve. Merriman’s Creek clarity and aquatic life returned along with swimming in the creek. A decline in mosquito activity due to stagnate water no longer lying around and the area being able to cope with the seasonal tourist numbers better. This project removed 11.6 million litres of septic and greywater discharge to the environment per annum.