Concerns have been raised on whether the sewage system infrastructure and drinking water have sustained damage after parts of the Highlands experienced sustained rain and flooding.
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The extreme weather event saw some parts of the Southern Highlands receive more than 200 mm of rain in less than 24 hours which caused mass flooding across many of the shire's roads, leading to poor road conditions and potholes.
While the cost of road damage is yet to be assessed, attention has turned to the sewage infrastructure system.
A Wingecarribee Shire Council spokesperson said the council would assess any damages once the flood waters had receded.
"No major reports of sewerage infrastructure damage have been reported at this stage," they said.
"While no major infrastructure faults have as yet been detected or reported, the true cost of any repairs cannot be properly estimated until a comprehensive assessment is undertaken once the storm has subsided."
However the council spokesperson said the sewage system had been inundated as a result of stormwater infiltration.
"The excess rain does however trigger a bypass at our sewage treatment plants which means the speed of stormwater flow through the process is increased," they said.
"A bypass is a safety mechanism that protects all treatment plants during extreme and uncontrollable wet weather events.
"When this occurs, the increased speed means treatment is partial, but also massively diluted, prior to the wastewater effluent being released.
"All bypasses and overflows at our sewage treatment plants are notified to the EPA."
The rainfall has also contributed to the Wingecarribee Reservior which supplies the majority of the shire's drinking water.
"The water treatment plants are working as normal and meeting all the required standards of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines," a council spokesperson said.
"The Wingecarribee Reservoir is at full capacity and currently spilling into the Wingecarribee River. The rainfall will ensure plentiful supplies."
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
