FIELD RIVER VALLEY

In reply to the Hon. S.G. WADE (17 October 2007).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has advised:

1. The draft code of practice for wastewater overflow management is currently in the final stages of consultation with stakeholders, in particular local councils. Consultation of the draft code has already taken place with both SA Water and United Water, and as a result, SA Water has established and begun implementing its 'Preliminary Wastewater Overflow Abatement Plan (Wastewater Networks)' in response to the draft.

2. The EPA is in close contact with SA Water and United Water and receives and reviews notifications about overflows that enter either a watercourse directly or indirectly, or if the volume is over one megalitre. Consistent with the preliminary wastewater overflow abatement plan, if a particular site has recurring blockages, a regular program of clearing the affected network can be implemented.