The overflow of more than an Olympic pool's worth of sewage into the water at a Safety Bay beach is "inexcusable," Recfishwest chief executive Andrew Rowland says.
Water Corporation on Wednesday afternoon warned people not to swim or fish off the beach between Bent Street Jetty and View Road on Safety Bay Road after about 3.4 million litres of wastewater overflowed.
The incident occurred upstream of the Charthouse Road Wastewater Pump Station to a drain that discharges to the beach and ocean on the corner of Malibu Road and Safety Bay Road.
No swimming or fishing between Bent Street Jetty & View Road here in Safety Bay after sewage leak. #perthnews pic.twitter.com/T79yUSUYey— Chiara Zaffino10 (@ChiaraZaffino)
May 28, 2015
"Our aquatic environments are under enough pressure without inexcusable events like this, which are totally avoidable," Dr Rowland said.
"How this type of spill can occur in this day and age is mindboggling, and the fact that this is allowed to happen shows disregard for the environment and the wider community.
"It is unacceptable that sewage can be spilt into the marine environment and affect local fishing locations. With families planning to head to the beach this WA Day long weekend, this should be a stern reminder to the agencies and authorities involved as to how the community expects their public amenities to be maintained without the risk to public safety."
Water Corporation issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying crews had repsonded immediately after the City of rockingham notified the agency of the issue.
It had erected warning signs on the beach 500 metres north and south of the area.
"Tidal currents, wave motion and ocean swells will ensure that the wastewater disperses quickly," the statement said.
"The cause of the overflow is still being investigated. Water Corporation apologises for any inconvenience."
A Water Corporation spokeswoman on Thursday said water quality testing was underway and the Department of Health would advise the corporation when it could remove the warning signs.
"Water Corporation will release a further statement to advise when the water is safe for swimming and beach fishing is again permitted," she said.
"It is too early to say what the specific costs are related to the response to this incident."
