Hazardous Sewerage Environment
Please be aware of a potentially hazardous sewerage environment in the following suburbs.
Mill Park, Bundoora, Greensborough, Montmorency, Yallambie and Lower Plenty. (Lower Plenty SCAP)
Issue date: 6 September 2011
Due to a known trade waste discharge into the sewer at the top of the Lower Plenty SCAP there is the potential for a
hazardous sewerage environment due to the presence of higher than normal levels of Limonene in sewage.
Limonene, also known as d – limonene, l – limonene or dipentene, is the major component of the oil extracted from citrus
rind. It is widely used as a flavour and fragrance additive in cleaning and cosmetic products, food and pharmaceuticals.
Yarra Valley Water’s Trade Waste Team has been working with the Trade Waste Customer to resolve this issue and a
corrective action plan has been developed and agreed. However, as this plan requires capital works (i.e. design and
construction work) it will take approximately 3 months to implement. A further notice will be issued once these works have
been completed.
The presence of slightly elevated levels of limonene in the sewer may cause eye and skin irritation. Limonene
may also displace Oxygen. At the maximum concentrations observed, the presence of Limonene does not pose
an explosive risk in the sewer.
Area Affected
Concentrations Observed
Lower Plenty SCAP specifically the following
sewers.
(See over page for location diagram)
The trade waste discharge occurs daily from 7am - 9am.
Observed Maximum Concentrations In the Sewer:
Liquid Phase:
~920mg/L
Gas Phase:
~150 ppm
375vc main ALL7 to ALL1
525vc main BLP85 to BLP41B
SFC006 – Sewer Flow Control Facility
225 pvc main AQD7 to AQD1
450vc main PLR70A to PLR55
d 750 concrete main PLR55 to PLR3
Appropriate Precautions
If accessing these sewers please take the following precautions:
When possible schedule access to occur during the late
morning or in the afternoon
Ensure adequate ventilation
Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Follow all confined space entry procedures as per normal
If any abnormal conditions found, close job and report to YVW
project manager.
General Information
Sewer environments can change quickly and without warning. It is important all appropriate controls are used. This
includes following the Yarra Valley Water Access Permit requirements.
For more information
Reference………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...SA036
National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) Information: ………………………………..
http://www.nicnas.gov.au/publications/information_sheets/safety_information_sheets/sis_23_limonene_pdf.pdf
Yarra Valley Water Contact…………………….David White……………..9872 1327…………………..dwhite@yvw.com.au
Map of affected Localities
Approximate location of sewers specifically listed above.