$950,000 upgrade for Berri river waste station
The Berri River Vessel Waste Disposal Station, which serves boats on the River Murray, is undergoing a $950,000 upgrade.
The station upgrade involves the installation of new piling, a floating platform, gangway and a new septic system connected to the Berri sewage system.
The upgrade will allow the station to take both grey and black water, increase pumping capacity and accommodate vessels up to 80 tonnes.
Works began in July and will be completed in late-2018. The station will be closed during the upgrade and alternative waste disposal facilities will be provided.
Department for Environment and Water (DEW) spokesperson Richard Brown said waste disposal stations play a vital role in maintaining the health of the River Murray.
“The stations, including the one at Berri, enable boats to pump out their sewage and grey water, reducing the risk of pollutants getting into the river – including disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli and nutrients that can cause algal blooms,” Mr Brown said.
“This is the tenth waste disposal station to be upgraded in recent times, with a further three river waste stations due to be modernised in the coming years.
“With about 1,700 houseboats currently registered in South Australia, the facilities have been well used during the past 40 years.”
The Berri station upgrade is fully funded by the SA Government.
River vessel operators can dispose of their waste at the 13 public waste disposal stations along the River Murray. The stations are available for the disposal of three types of waste including black water (sewage waste), grey water (water that has been used for washing, laundering, bathing or showering) and garbage.
The stations are located at Lock 6, Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Lock 3, Waikerie, Morgan, Blanchetown, Swan Reach, Walker Flat, Mannum, Murray Bridge and Goolwa.
