Stuarts Point groundwater update #9

Published on 01 April 2022

Pump work in Stuarts Point

Resident update for March 2022 flood
As at 2pm Friday 1 April 2022

Evacuation Warning

An evacuation warning was issued at 4pm Wednesday 30 March for Stuarts Point and surrounds.

In the warning the NSW SES advised residents in Stuarts Point to prepare for possible evacuation due to possible contaminated floodwater and rising groundwater levels.

The evacuation warning will remain in place until the property assessment process is complete.

Council is working with other key agencies to ensure a full response to any and all situations.

Water levels

Groundwater levels have started to drop naturally however there might still be some water feeding in out of the surrounding hills.

Please do not drive, ride, walk or play in floodwater or surface water as it may pose a health risk.

Council staff and emergency services are monitoring the situation on the ground and through groundwater level monitors.

Pumping

Pumping has been underway since Tuesday and has been highly successful.

As surface water levels drop we will start disinfecting properties and pumping to provide capacity in septic systems.

This is planned to start over the weekend.

Showers and toilets open

If groundwater is covering household septic tanks, please minimise use of water in your homes, especially showers and toilets.

Stuarts Point Holiday Park and Grassy Head Holiday Park toilet and shower blocks are open for impacted residents.

Any resident needing to use the showers should park in the foreshore public car park and go to reception who will give directions and the access code.

Toilet blocks at the sports fields and foreshore are also open.

Recovery and hazardous materials process

Council carried a thorough inspection of onsite sewage management systems on Thursday.

The assessment of each property asks five key questions:

  • Was the house inundated?
  • Were footings, foundations or sheds inundated?
  • Was there floodwater over the land during the rain?
  • Is there still floodwater over the land?
  • What is the condition of the Onsite Sewage Management System?

The steps carried out, depending on the answers to these questions are:

  • Rapid damage assessment of dwelling
  • Disinfection of dwelling if inundated
  • Disinfection of yard with lime
  • Pumping out Onsite Sewage Management Systems to maintain capacity

Who is doing what?

Council will continue groundwater pumping operations as long as it is required.

Fire and Rescue is managing the disinfection processes.

Council Onsite Sewage Management System inspectors are monitoring progress and conducting water sampling for testing.

A Council contractor is managing the septic pump outs.

Council is maintaining a register of the actions taken to ensure no steps are missed for any property.

Residents should monitor conditions at their own properties and act accordingly.

More information

For more information on the flood event head to ksc.pub/flood

For all other Council matters head to www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au

If you need emergency help with flooding in your property call the NSW State Emergency Service on 13 25 00.

In life-threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.

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