INVESTIGATIONS may soon start into the relocation of sewage pipes in the pristine Valley Lakes precinct following a recent leak.
It follows damage to an exposed pipe which triggered the leak along a walking trail bordering the Valley Lake, with the overflowing waste also producing a foul odour across the area.
SA Water has confirmed the leak is fixed, with precautions taken to prevent any further leaks.
Mount Gambier resident Robert MacIntosh was among the first to come across the leak on his routine morning walk earlier this month.
“I went on my morning walk and it was gushing out,” Mr MacIntosh said.
“I first thought it was the Blue Lake Holiday Park’s issue and advised them of the leak, but they did not believe me until I showed them.”
Mr MacIntosh said he was worried the fluids may have leaked into the Valley Lake.
Now concerned about possible future leaks, Mr MacIntosh is calling for the 50-year old pipes to be removed from the area.
“It makes no sense to have a sewage pipe running around the lakes,” he said.
“It is a pristine area and I do not want to see it ruined.”
The Queen Elizabeth Park Trust, Mount Gambier City Council and SA Water played a hand in rectifying the issue, with Trust chairman Colin Martin confirming the Trust would now investigate a solution to improve the sewage system.
“We are currently working with SA Water to find an answer to the problem of the distance of the sewage and where it has to be pumped and we are looking for a better solution.
“It is now up to the stage where the system is not as efficient as it should be and we are looking to the future on how to handle the problem.”
Mr Martin said the Trust hoped to meet with City Council and SA Water next week to discuss the issue which he believes may be caused by ageing infrastructure.
