Palumpa sewerage system upgrade

26 Nov 2010

After a severe flooding event in the area in February 2009 that inundated the community’s septic tanks and caused effluent to overflow in some areas, Power and Water reviewed the community’s existing infrastructure.

Power and Water’s General Manager Remote Operations, Mr Darryl Day said the new sewerage system will better cope with extreme flood events experienced at Palumpa during each wet season.

"The works include installation of a full borne gravity sewerage reticulation system for the key facilities of the community which will see existing septic tank and pumping systems decommissioned.

"The school, health clinic, community store and administration buildings as well as some community housing will immediately benefit from these upgrades."

The contract to build the upgraded sewerage reticulation system, valued at $1,404,369.90, was awarded to local Top End contractor Fred Pty Ltd.

Palumpa is a remote community with around 400 residents and is situated around 50km southeast from Wadeye. The funding for these works are part of the 2009/2010 Indigenous Essential Services Capital Program.

Power and Water Corporation provides power, water and sewerage services to 72 remote communities and a number of outstations throughout the Territory.