NSW Aboriginal Communities Water & Sewerage Program

Transcription

1 NSW Aboriginal Communities Water & Sewerage Program Jeff Standen Manager Aboriginal Environmental Health Unit Paul Byleveld Manager Water Unit NSW Health Kerryn Lawrence Senior Environmental Health Officer North Coast Public Health Unit

2 Acknowledgement of Country To the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation

3 History Housing for Health projects commonly revealed failing water, sewerage/ septic systems in Aboriginal communities Drinking water & sewerage in many discrete Aboriginal communities was inadequate Issues with operation, maintenance & monitoring Make shift system following failed submersible pump Evidence that water supplies E. coli bacteria Frequent boil water alerts water quality problems interrupted services

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5 History Little or no systematic maintenance existed in many (not all) communities The capital upgrade programs without ongoing maintenance support No single agency with responsibility or capacity to support discrete Aboriginal communities to maintain their water and sewerage systems NSW & Australian Gov t capital upgrade funding support but problems continued The program has allowed for backlog maintenance of existing infrastructure

6 Jeff Standen Former Reserve Some communities responsible for all water & sewerage infrastructure on their land Town

7 Jeff Standen Former Reserve Some communities had water & sewerage infrastructure delivered only to boundary, with distribution within that land being community responsibility. Town

8 Response NSW Health led negotiations. Developed an Issues Paper Led to the Aboriginal Communities Water and Sewerage Program 2009 NSW Government & NSW Aboriginal Land Council signed a commitment of $200,000,000 over 25 years to fund the program NSWALC Chair and NSW Premier signing Agreement

9 Response Sewerage system redevelopment in an Aboriginal community Aims to improve the operation, monitoring and maintenance of drinking water & sewerage systems in discrete Aboriginal communities Local Councils funded to provide day to day operation & maintenance services in most areas Maintenance team unblocking a drain

10 Achievements to date Agreements established with 36 communities 61 communities now receiving improved water & sewerage services; delivered by local councils & some private service providers Emergency repair works carried out at several other communities Repairs made to existing water and sewerage systems

11 Achievements to date Very positive response from the Aboriginal communities involved Isolation valves installed to assist maintenance Drinking Water and Sewerage Management Plans have been developed with each community Winner in NSW Aboriginal Health Awards 2012

12 Future A Health Outcomes Evaluation of the Program is planned Will be independently reviewed Independent review of entire Program to evaluate the efficiency & effectiveness to date develop framework for measuring the Programs long term success

13 Aboriginal Community Case study 1 Approx. 120 people, 24 houses, community building & some sheds

14 Case study 1 - History Rain water tanks Water supply system installed & periodically upgraded Water rarely received correct treatment Testing by: Community water sampler & Public Health Unit (E. coli in approx 20% samples) Boil water alerts: 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008 & 2009 Onsite sewage system not working correctly

15 Shallow creek bore A tap Chlorination shed Nulla Nulla Creek Reservoir

16 Case study 1 - Outcomes 2009 & 2010 Shire Council investigations, infrastructure upgrade and community consultations 2010 signed agreement: Shire Council, LALC, NOW: Shire day-to-day management Shire testing & monitoring, maintenance & upgrade, emergency response Chlorination turned on December 2010 Sewerage system upgrade finished 2015

17 Case study 1 - Outcomes Boil Water Alert lifted in July 2011 after being in place for 20 months

18 Aboriginal Community Case study 2 Approx. 150 people, 39 houses, health clinic, pre-school, some sheds, 5 community buildings

19 Case study 2 - History Rain water tanks + a non-potable river supply Algae issues from non-potable river supply 1970s + town potable water supply,15km away Supply issues with potable supply 15km pipeline crosses private land & river Cross connections between potable/non-potable Testing by: Community water sampler & Public Health Unit, no E.coli identified Onsite sewage system not well maintained

20 Case study 2 - Outcomes 2011 signed agreement: Contractor, LALC, NOW Contractor day-to-day management, maintenance & upgrade, emergency response PHU micro & chemical monitoring Chlorination at community improved An effluent sunset Sewage infrastructure upgraded & ponds tidied Backflow prevention device established & regularly managed Meters & valves installed

21 In consultation with the communities, the jointly funded NSW Aboriginal Communities Water & Sewerage Program has greatly improved drinking water quality and effluent management