Things may still be a bit crook at the Top End of the country, but here in little Nelligen we'll soon have our very own new you-beaut water supply and sewerage system which, according to the Council's own website, will be linked to existing water and sewer infrastructure in Batemans Bay and be fully operational by 2022/23.
Not everyone is looking forward to a reticulated potable water supply. I mean, what could be more potable than beautiful, clean rainwater from the sky, free of chemicals and pollution due to breaks in the pipes?
As for the pressurised sewerage system, a pump unit will be installed below ground on each property to collect and pump sewage to the street mains. In case of power failure, the system is supposed to allow for approximately 24 hours of storage. After that, we simply hold our collective breath, I guess! Or have fewer curry dinners!
The existing septic tanks, which have been working without fail for as long as Nelligen has existed, will be replaced by this new system to "reduce the risk of harm to the environment and public health".
What about the risk of harm to the environment and public health by the scores of privately-owned houseboats on the river? From here I can see half-a-dozen houseboats moored upriver. They never seem to move from one year to the next, and yet are lived on during weekends and holidays by scores of people, none of whom I have ever observed carrying away with them little porta-potties as they return to the city.
Maybe they do it differently; maybe they do it by some sort of osmosis (I may have to ask Des what the word really means as I don't even know but it sounds good; almost as good as Council's promise that "odours from the new sewerage station will be minimised thanks to an odour control system"). Or maybe they just have fewer curry dinners!
