A war of words has erupted between Georges River Council and Sydney Water over the cause of a sewage spill into Dairy Creek, Lime Kiln Bay wetlands .
The sewage spill occurred on June 25. At the time Georges River resident and long-time observer of the wetlands, Dave Mercer said had probably caused the death Powerful Owl and its mate.
A Sydney Water spokesperson said, "a third party undertaking roadworks nearby damaged a Sydney Water sewer line which then overflowed due to heavy rainfall that evening."
But the council said it was the spill was caused by leaking joints in the Sydney Water sewer main and not by damaged caused by a third party.
Georges River Council general manager, Gail Connolly has said that Sydney Water had "misreported" that there was damage caused by a third part to the sewer line.
"This information was incorrect - at no time was any damage caused to the sewer main," Ms Connolly said.
"Many Sydney Water sewer assets within the Georges River local government area are aged and overflow to natural waterways, including Dairy Creek, occur on a regular basis." she said.
"On previous occurrences, Council has proactively reported these incidents to Sydney Water, In some instances, Sydney Water has responded by repairing damaged pipes and joints.
"On 25 June, 2019, following heavy rainfall, Council became aware that the joints along the Sydney Water sewer main were leaking into Dairy Creek. Council immediately informed the Sydney Water Emergency Response team and the NSW EPA and requested appropriate action to rectify the situation.
"On the evening 25 June, 2019, the NSW EPA and the Sydney Water Emergency Response team attended the site and decided to commission Council's newly constructed sewer main to resolve the issue." The old sewer amin across the creek was removed to ensure no further sewage spills occurred."
The newly constructed sewer main is part of Georges River Council's major stormwater drainage upgrade project, 'Cromdale Street Stormwater Culvert Duplication Project' to reduce flooding of properties along Dairy Creek, upstream of Cromdale Street, Mortdale.
The sewer main upgrade works have bee ready to be commissioned since 31 May, 2019.
Informed of the council's comment, Sydney Water stuck to its original statement.
"Sydney Water's priority is to protect the environment and public health. We work closely with council's to achieve this," a Sydney Water spokesman said.
"On this occasion the overflow occurred during heavy rainfall while a third party work was underway. Once notified, Sydney Water responded promptly to fix it up and clean it up."
