It looked like snow and it’s definitely been chilly north of the CBD, but Wallan is not a place known for such events.
To the uninformed eye, snow must have fallen on a little area south-east of Wallan between the railway line and the Hume Freeway.
The reality was not so pleasant. An unknown substance had been dumped down the sewer, wreaking havoc at the Wallan Sewage Treatment Plant and covering the land and settling ponds in a thick layer of foam.
Yarra Valley Water managing director Pat McCafferty said the foam was most likely caused by detergent or another cleaning agent.
He said the clean-up costs were substantial and had taken staff away from their jobs.
“We provide an essential service to customers in this area, and the foam certainly impacted our plant and distracted staff away from doing their daily tasks,” Mr McCafferty said.
“The clean-up cost, which is ultimately borne by the community, has also been substantial with an anti-foaming agent needed.
“The main message we need to get across, whether you’re a household customer or a business customer, is that no number three’s in our sewers, please – a quick fix for you can impact the entire community,” Mr McCafferty said.
Find out more about what not to put down the drain at yvw.com.au/nonumberthrees
To safely dispose of leftover detergent, shampoo, household chemicals and cleaning agents, which should not be poured down the drain,
Sustainability Victoria recommends visiting its website at sustainability.vic.gov.au
