INCIDENT UPDATE: Spearwood & Beaconsfield sewer main bursts
Repairs and remediation of sites affected by wastewater overflows continues following Friday’s (6 June) major burst on a sewer main in Spearwood.
Overflows have affected Bruce Lee Reserve, Beaconsfield, and the site of the original burst around Hamilton Road, Spearwood, with smaller related overflows in Alfred Cove, Applecross and South Fremantle.
Water Corporation is liaising with WA Department of Health, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to manage the public health and environmental impacts to ensure public safety.
While flows have been stopped, repairs are expected to take some time to ensure the safety of crews. Given the complexity of the wastewater network and the amount of wastewater backed up in the system, there remains a risk of further localised overflows. Remediation of the affected sites will start as soon as practical.
Traffic management is currently in place along Hamilton Road, Spearwood, between Ocean Road and Mell Road, and Caesar Street in Beaconsfield is currently closed in both directions.
People should stay out of the affected sites and heed warning signage with security and barricades in place for the community’s protection. The primary affected sites are:
- Caesar Street and Bruce Lee Reserve, Beaconsfield, particularly the area bordered by Caesar Street and South Street
- Hamilton Road and Watsonia Park, Spearwood, bordered by Yakas Chase, Karbuni Parade and Nadilo Drive
With minor related overflows:
- Into the Swan River from the drain in front of the sewer pump station on Dunkley Avenue, Applecross (opposite junction with Cantray Avenue)
- Into the Swan River from a stormwater drain at Burke Street, Alfred Cove
- On the road outside 346 South Terrace, South Fremantle
- Within the harbour at Fremantle Sailing Club,151 Marine Terrace, Fremantle
In the event of contact with any residual wastewater, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water and disinfect any surfaces exposed to wastewater.
Temporary odour may be experienced in the vicinity of the affected sites. To minimise odours, please keep windows closed and consider using fans or air purifiers if needed. Avoid exercising outdoors if strong odours are present. If you feel unwell and experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and nausea, seek medical advice.
People should also not undertake any water recreational activities, including fishing and crabbing, in the Swan River along Burke Street in Alfred Cove and Dunkley Avenue in Applecross and within the harbour at Fremantle Sailing Club due to the related minor overflows.
We wish to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and reassure nearby residents that crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to complete repairs.
Should you have further questions, please contact our Customer Faults Team on 13 13 75 (24/7). Further updates will be provided via email, Water Corporation’s website and social media channels.
UPDATE AS AT 12pm, 8 June 2025
Water Corporation crews are continuing to respond following wastewater overflows at Bruce Lee Reserve, Beaconsfield and in the vicinity of Hamilton Road, Spearwood. Flows have been stopped at both sites, with repair and remediation works progressing.
We wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused and reassure nearby residents that crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to complete repairs.
As this complex work continues, residents may notice temporary odours in the vicinity of Bruce Lee Reserve and Hamilton Road.
To minimise odours, please keep windows closed and consider using fans or air purifiers if needed. Avoid exercising outdoors if strong odours are present.
We are working closely with the WA Department of Health to ensure areas affected by wastewater are fully remediated, made safe and amenity is restored.
If you feel unwell and experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and nausea, seek medical advice.
As repairs progress, the public is asked to avoid Bruce Lee Reserve and areas around Hamilton Road, including Watsonia Park and Dalmatia Park, bordered by Yakas Chase, Karbuni Parade and Nadilo Drive. Warning signage, security and barricades are in place for the community’s protection.
While flows have ceased, in the event of contact with any residual wastewater, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water and disinfect any surfaces exposed to wastewater.
Again, we wish to apologise and thank the community for the support shown to our crews as they work to complete repairs.
Should you have further questions, please contact our Customer Faults Team on 13 13 75. Further updates will be provided via email, Water Corporation’s website and social media channels.
UPDATE AS AT 4pm, 7 June 2025
Residents in the vicinity of Bruce Lee Reserve in Beaconsfield are advised to exercise caution due to the presence of pooled wastewater from an earlier pipeline burst.
Warning signage and security is in place to prevent access to the reserve, with traffic management along Caesar Street.People should continue to avoid contact with any pooled wastewater and heed warning signage.
In the event of contact, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and clean water and any surfaces exposed to wastewater, including vehicles, should be disinfected.
Water Corporation crews are working to stop flows, however, work is complex and may take time to complete.
Residents in the vicinity of Hamilton Street in Spearwood are also asked to exercise caution following a related wastewater overflow in the area yesterday.
Flows have stopped and clean-up operations are underway. Residents should continue to avoid Watsonia Park and Dalmatia Park, bordered by Yakas Chase, Karbuni Parade and Nadilo Drive. Warning signage and security is in place.
In the event of contact with residual wastewater, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water and disinfect any surfaces exposed to wastewater.
Meanwhile, Water Corporation is also advising people not undertake any water recreational activities, including fishing and crabbing in the Swan River along Burke Street in Alfred Cove due to an overflow related to issues in Spearwood and Beaconsfield. Homes are not directly affected, however, residents may notice temporary odours while crews continue to affect repairs.
The same health advice applies if people come into contact with pooled wastewater.
We wish to sincerely apologises to affected residents and thank them for their support to our crews as repairs progress.
Any issues should be reported to Water Corporation on 13 13 75 (24/7).
UPDATE AS AT 12pm, 7 June 2025
Water Corporation crews are responding to a wastewater overflow on Caesar Street, Beaconsfield which is affecting Bruce Lee Reserve.
Pedestrians are asked to avoid entering the reserve due to pooled wastewater, with traffic management also in place along Caesar Street, between South Street and Grosvenor Street.
No properties are impacted, however, repairs may take some time to complete.
Water Corporation has been in contact with the City of Fremantle to confirm the cancellation of tomorrow’s Freo Farmers Market event at Bruce Lee Reserve.
The overflow is linked to a similar incident on Hamilton Road, Spearwood which resulted in a significant volume of wastewater overflowing along a section of Hamilton Road, nearby streets and into Watsonia Park and Dalmatia Park, bordered by Yakas Chase, Karbuni Parade and Nadilo Drive.
Crews have stopped the overflow and clean-up operations are underway, however, full repairs are complex and will occur in coming days.
Hamilton Road remains closed in both directions, with traffic detours expected to remain in place until later today. Access to Coogee Plaza currently remains open.
People should continue to avoid contact with any pooled wastewater and heed warning signage. In the event of any contact, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and clean water and any surfaces exposed to wastewater, including vehicles, should be disinfected.
Crews are working hard to effect repairs, and we wish to sincerely apologises to the community and affected residents for the inconvenience caused.
Any issues should be reported to Water Corporation on 13 13 75 (24/7).
UPDATE AS AT 17:00, 6 June 2025
Road users should continue to avoid Hamilton Road, Spearwood, between Ocean Road and Mell Road, due to ongoing work to repair a damaged sewer main.
The road is closed in both directions with a traffic detour in place and is expected to remain closed for the rest of today. Access to Coogee Plaza currently remains open.
Water Corporation crews are on site but, for safety reasons, crews need to wait until the sewer main is completely drained before attempting repairs.
The burst main resulted in a significant volume of wastewater overflowing along a section of Hamilton Road, nearby streets and into Watsonia Park and Dalmatia Park, bordered by Yakas Chase, Karbuni Parade and Nadilo Drive.
People should avoid contact with any pooled wastewater and heed warning signage. In the event of any contact, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and clean water and any surfaces exposed to wastewater, including vehicles, should be disinfected.
The cause of the burst is not yet known and will be established following further investigations.
Water Corporation sincerely apologises to the community and affected residents for the inconvenience caused.
Any issues should be reported to Water Corporation on 13 13 75 (24/7).
UPDATE AS AT 11:30, 6 June 2025
Road users should avoid Hamilton Road, Spearwood, between Ocean Road and Mell Road, due to a major burst on a sewer pressure main.
Water Corporation crews are on site trying to isolate the main but repairs are expected to take some time.
People should avoid all contact with any wastewater and wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water after any contact. Any surfaces exposed to wastewater, including vehicles, should be disinfected.
Water Corporation apologises for the inconvenience caused and will provide further details in due course. Access to Coogee Plaza currently remains open.
Any issues should be reported to Water Corporation on 13 13 75 (24/7).