By Karen Poh
MELBOURNE Water has allayed concerns over the stench coming from the Civic Parade drainage near the Altona Sports Club.
Altona retirees Lindsay and Norma Norris alerted Star to the problem last week.
The smells have caused the couple to wrinkle their nose on their walks along the Esplanade when they pass by the bridge overhanging the stormwater drain.
“It’s been a year or two we’ve been observant of it, and it hasn’t improved in that time,” Mr Norris said.
“It’s a real stink. It’s not a healthy smell,” he said.
The stench was especially evident on a warm day, Mr Norris said.
“If you get a bit of sun on it, it gets worse. Once the heat hits, the smells get quite bad,” he said.
Mr Morris believes the build-up of silt is responsible for the stench, preventing discharge from the drain into the bay and causing stormwater to stagnate.
“It’s probably a health hazard in respect to the stagnant water,” he said. “Our feeling is that it (the silt) should be cleared and there should be a ready access from the drainage.”
But Melbourne Water spokesman Gavan O’Neill said the odour was most likely caused by rotting seaweed.
“The outlet is typical of all drainage outlets around the bay and does clog with seaweed over time,” Mr O’Neill said.
“The smell can occur when the seaweed is exposed at low tides, and can begin to rot on sunny days.”
“The run-off from a rainfall event can also pick silt and other rubbish and debris, which is transported to the outlet by the stormwater,” Mr O’Neill added.
“This outlet is cleaned out once or twice a year as necessary,” he said.
