THE southern suburbs have been subject to a ‘shitastrophe’ after a wastewater main in Spearwood burst and the chain reaction saw surrounding suburbs flooded with sewage. 

Last Friday, June 6, a burst pipe on Hamilton Road in Spearwood overflowed onto Watsonia and Dalmatia Parks, while attempts to stem the tide of turds saw another main rupture in Beaconsfield and fill Bruce Lee Reserve. 

According to Water Corp, there have been “minor, related” overflows in drains outside Wild Bakery on South Terrace, the Fremantle Sailing Club marina, and two locations in Applecross and Alfred Cove. 

Restoration works have begun at the affected parks, and Water Corp says any affected grass will be “cleaned” and “disinfected” before it is subject to proper restoration, but a timeframe for complete repair at Bruce Lee is still to be determined. 

Residents are advised to avoid the contaminated areas affected by the ‘shituation’. 

• “Lake Bruce Lee!!!” Former councillor Rachel Pemberton braved the pong to snap the oval’s sewery swamp.

The Water Corp is “confident” nearby Market Garden Swamp has not been polluted by the burst pipe. 

“Our mitigation measures at Watsonia Park included sandbagging any potential escape routes for the residual wastewater and, by the end of [June 12], we will have completed work to drain the ponds ahead of further remediation,” the spokesperson said. 

Water Corp CEO Pat Donovan says repair work to the burst pipes is “complex” but that Water Corp is working “as quickly and safely as possible” to clean up sewage in affected suburbs. 

“We fully acknowledge the distress and disruption these unfortunate incidents have caused and sincerely apologise,” Mr Donovan said. 

“Longer term, the section of pipe along Hamilton Road will be replaced… we’re also continuing the initial clean-up of the affected sites while longer-term restoration plans are developed. 

“We thank the community for their support while we work to complete the repairs as quickly and safely as possible.”

Fremantle Sailing Club CEO Craig Evans says club operations have been halted while the sewage is cleaned up from the marina. 

“The release of wastewater into FSC’s marina has caused inconvenience to our dinghy sailors and has resulted in the cancellation of weekend racing, club, and WAIS sail training and school sailing programs,” Mr Evans said. 

“The club moved quickly to close off access to the area of contamination and we are working with and following health advice being provided by the Water Corporation. 

“Water quality testing is being carried out near stormwater outlets into the marina, and we await the ‘all clear’ from Water Corporation before returning to normal club operations… the inconvenience to FSC is minimal compared to that of surrounding residential properties and businesses.” 

The Fremantle City Football Club will be relocated to different sports facilities around Freo, and the Farmers Market will most likely continue to be held at the Arts Centre, according to a City of Fremantle spokesperson. 

Both organisations regularly use Bruce Lee Oval, which has been fenced off until further notice.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER