Sewage is processed at eight treatment plants across the Central Coast, with each servicing its own local area. They are located at Toukley, Wyong South, Bateau Bay, Gwandalan, Charmhaven, Mannering Park, Kincumber and Woy Woy. 

Pumping stations

Most sewage is pumped through pumping stations to get it to a sewage treatment plant. There are a range of measures in place to make sure pumping stations don’t overflow. These include installing dual pumps, so if one fails the other takes over; dual power supply or generator supply to overcome power failure; holding capacity inside the well and sewer, allowing minor problems to be addressed; and connection to a telemetry system to give early warning of system malfunctions.
 

Safety Standard Report

Dams Safety NSW requires all owners of declared dams to submit an Annual Dams Safety Standards Report. The reports are required to provide information on a dam owner’s level of compliance with the Dams Safety Regulation 2019. The report also provides important information to Dams Safety NSW to enable them to prioritise compliance activities. 

Access the Annual Dam Safety Standards Report – Wyong STP Wet Weather Storage Pond
 

Sewer blockages

To help protect against overflows occurring inside a house, each property must have a gully trap. Make sure there are no objects placed on these, as it will affect how well they work.

Every property owner is responsible for sewer blockages on their premises between the sewer junction cut-in to the house. If there is a sewer overflow from a manhole or blockage in one of our sewer mains, please report this immediately on 02 4306 7900.

Sewer and manholes

Our sewers have been designed to handle normal usage plus allowing for water that seeps in during wet weather. If wet weather infiltration becomes excessive, or there are illegal drainage connections, the sewer may overflow and possibly cause health and environmental concerns.

There is an inspection program to detect illegal connections to the sewerage system and identify maintenance needs. We also rely on community cooperation to maintain house service lines – which are the owners’ responsibility – and ensure that house stormwater is not diverted into the sewers.

It is essential that Council has access to sewers for maintenance. Access manholes are often located on private property, so it is important that owners do not cover them. Manhole covers can be raised or lowered to suit property requirements. We may meet the cost of work if it’s not associated with development. There are special requirements for building near or over a manhole or sewer.

Wet wipes

The only things that should be flushed down the toilet is human waste and toilet paper. Wet wipes can cause havoc in our sewerage system. Although often marketed as ‘flushable’, they don’t break down like toilet paper. Instead, they can turn into ‘fatbergs’ and lead to blockages in your pipes or our sewerage system. A fatberg is a congealed lump of fat, oils, wet wipes and other sanitary items.

A blockage in our system not only results in a costly repair and increase in operational expenditure but it increases the risk of an overflow into our local creeks, rivers and lakes. A blockage in your internal pipes could also cost you thousands to fix in plumbing bills.