CEO EDITORIAL
New Incoming Government – Take note!
This editorial has been written prior to the March election, so I have no idea who is now running the State. I congratulate the incoming Government and hope there is a greater focus on listening to industry and understanding the needs of our Association (Members) and key industry stakeholders. I therefore wish to go in with all guns firing with a serious issue that has flown well below the political radar in the past. Not only is it one of the most important issues facing the state, but it has significant impact on the entire South Australian community – more than COVID-19. Without any doubt, the subject is extremely topical with what has happened during the months of February and March in Queensland and NSW – serious rainfall and major flooding. What the South Australian Government is unaware of is that our sewer infrastructure is in serious trouble and struggles to keep up with load capacity - especially during winter. Governments talk about reducing fees for electricity, water rates and other energy costs - well hold on tight, here comes a major wakeup call. What they don’t realise is that every householder pays high premiums for poor management of sewer infrastructure / stormwater installations / systems and it is costing hundreds of millions of dollars to manage this emerging crisis. Having been the instigator for the preparation of a fact sheet by the major provider of water / sewer infrastructure in SA, it is worrying to read the true facts of what really happens when our heavy rains fall.
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SA community pays inflated sewerage fees to manage this dilemma
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SA Government need to listen to industry (Master Plumbers Association) plus the primary service provider to solve this problem
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Recommendation has been put forward to Consumer & Business Services to change legislation that ensures licensed plumbers install all stormwater installations 90mm and above.
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Other states in Australia (Victoria) have regulated stormwater installations / SA has nothing and doesn’t inspect systems, nor do Councils.
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Ongoing management of sewerage infrastructure amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
I ask the following questions to the incoming Government: •
What do you know about the quality of plumbing in SA?
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What happens to the community if plumbing standards fail?
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How can Government not listen to an Industry that effectively has the largest impact to the community?
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Third world countries have poor water quality and sewerage infrastructure – how do we really rate?
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What would happen if we had above average rainfall like QLD and NSW? – swimming in sewerage is the answer.
I set the incoming Government a challenge – How long does it take to pick up the phone and call me? Remember your responsibility to the community – I know mine and I need an ear to ensure WE get it right!
Facts include: •
Incorrect and illegal stormwater connections impact the reliability of the sewerage network and can be harmful to the environment
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During wet weather periods - sewer infrastructure volumes increase by 100% to 200% in metropolitan Adelaide
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Regional areas and the Adelaide Hills - sewer infrastructure increases by 300% to 600%
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Domestic stormwater systems are clearly being connected to sewerage infrastructure
Andrew Clarke Executive Officer
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