Residents in parts of a popular port city have been forced out of their properties by a flood of raw sewage. Western Australia’s ageing water infrastructure is again under scrutiny after the foul mess flowed through homes and backyards in Fremantle.
Authorities have blamed a fatberg near the markets for the blockage that put pressure on pipes and caused an overflow for locals on and near Essex St on Sunday. Residents worried about the serious health risk have taped up toilets, doors and floors and brought in dehumidifiers.
Residents Describe Horrific Scene
“It’s horrific and there was a state of panic,” Fremantle resident Frank Van de Ven told 7NEWS. He added he went outside “to see effluent just pouring out of the drain in the backyard”. “(It was) filling up our verandah area with blackwater. It had some contaminants in it. You could see toilet paper,” he said. “It was coming out at a rate of knots.”
Another family told 7NEWS they had been forced to move into a hotel until the problem is fixed. Water Corporation crews were still cleaning up the mess on Wednesday.
Ongoing Issues for Local Businesses
A nearby psychiatrist knows the headache after staff were forced to shut for more than a month over a similar situation in 2025. “We had a sewage leak that went right down to the basement — it was astronomical,” practice manager Diane Monk said. “It was about 2.5 inches high with water.” Monk said the current situation was “ridiculous” and “something needs to be done”.
On another occasion, locals in Spearwood, also in Perth’s south, were left dealing with the aftermath of a burst pipe in their area in 2025. The odorous spill seeped excrement into streets and parks.
Political Response and Infrastructure Concerns
“I’m quite concerned about the trend that’s evolving here,” opposition water spokesperson Peter Rundle said. “The state government’s got a $3.5 billion surplus. Why isn’t that money being spent on maintenance for our sewerage and water infrastructure?”
Authorities said the wrong things are being flushed, including fats and fabrics. Residents have taped up toilets, doors and floors and brought in dehumidifiers to mitigate the damage.
