Browns Bay’s new $12.6m wastewater sewer and storage project proved its worth on its first day of use preventing an estimated 1,000 cubic metres of sewage overflowing onto the beach during January's storm.

The new systems beneath Anzac Rd and Beach Front Lane, were hurriedly ‘unplugged’ and brought into service on January 24, when it became apparent heavy rains and power cuts were putting pressure on our wastewater network.

The new enlarged sewers, installed as part of Project CARE, have a two metre diameter and are able to temporarily store increased flows during heavy rain. They have a total capacity of 4000 cubic metres - the same as two Olympic sized swimming pools.

The final phase of the project, connecting existing sewers to the new trunk sewers, is completed. The work site at the intersection of Anzac Rd and Beach Front Lane that dominated the southern end of the beach for eighteen months was cleared before Christmas and reinstated as a car park. Removal of the neighbouring temporary car park is expected to start shortly.

As part of the project the Browns Bay pump station has also been upgraded to ensure it has the capacity for large flows. Work on that is also near completion. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank businesses and residents in Browns Bay for their support and patience during this important project.

Below: East Coast Bays Community Co-ordinator, Sally Cargill, inspects the new Browns Bay sewer.