Wannon Water has replaced a rising sewer main in Portland to boost the reliability of the Victorian town’s sewerage network.

The works involved replacing a 100m section of sewer main near Madeira Packet Road. Construction was carried out over several weeks, with a bypass pump installed to maintain sewer services and minimise impacts on customers during the project.

The replacement follows a sewer main failure in 2023 that affected nearby properties. Wannon Water repaired the asset at the time, restored impacted land and provided compensation to affected landowners.

Wannon Water branch manager – asset systems Sarah van Rooy said the new infrastructure would help reduce the risk of future failures.

“These replacement works help reduce the risk of future failures over the long term. We continue to work with the Environment Protection Authority regarding the 2023 asset failure,” van Rooy said.

According to Wannon Water, the sewer main plays a critical role in Portland’s sewerage network, transporting wastewater from homes, businesses and industrial customers to the town’s sewage treatment plant.

“It’s a major pipe that carries nearly all of Portland’s sewage from local homes, businesses and industry to the sewage treatment plant,” van Rooy said.

The project forms part of Wannon Water’s broader asset management program across south-west Victoria, where the utility maintains more than 3000km of water and sewerage mains.

Van Rooy also reminded customers to avoid disposing of inappropriate items down drains, warning that wet wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products, fats and grease can cause blockages in both sewer networks and household plumbing.

“It’s important these things are disposed of in a rubbish bin rather than down your drains.”

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