Every ten years the Regulations permitting Houseboats to be on Lake Eildon are reviewed and then reset for the next 10 years. There is an involved process around this.
This took place in 2013 which resulted in the requirement for houseboats to install Grey Water Treatment Systems. The process in 2013 left a lot to be desired to say the least. Eventually this led to the Minister for Water repealing the regulations pertaining to Grey Water in 2017.
In 2019 LEHIA was approached by representatives from DELWP (now DEECA) to be part of a process that would look at Grey Water Discharge from houseboats with an understanding that this would be part of the Review of the Houseboat Regulations in 2023.
LEHIA agreed to participate.
Initially the process looked at the concerns, risks and probabilities of pollution and disease from Grey Water Discharge from Houseboats on Lake Eildon. This information was coming from the Department of Health and the EPA.
Further, the State Government had made changes to the Environmental Act governing the EPA. Basically, it brought in the “Environmental Duty” where everyone has a responsibility to minimize pollution where it is practically possible.
As this journey proceeded it became clear that the Dept of Health and the EPA considered houseboats the same as a house. They wanted the same level of management of discharge from a houseboat as what happens to a house in Melbourne or in the Eildon Township. In fact they would not be happy until this was achieved.
From their perspective, your responsibility to manage your sewerage and grey water is discharged by you paying your Water & Sewerage Rates in Melbourne to Melbourne Water or in Eildon to Goulburn Valley Water. Everyone has a responsibility, and most people pay a Water & Sewerage Authority to discharge that responsibility.
Understanding these principles, then how does the Industry come up with a workable and viable solution.
The Grey Water Systems imposed on houseboaters in 2013 were not providing a solution.
This is when this new process with DEECA kicked in as they were prepared to embrace and respect the knowledge and expertise of people working in the houseboat industry.
Two LEHIA Members who were experienced licensed Plumbers and work in the houseboat industry stood up. They were Aiden Gale from Faster Plumbers and John Gysberts from Status Luxury Houseboats. They worked together using their incredible knowledge and intelligence to put together the Lake Eildon Solution.
DEECA being involved in the process agreed to support trials and tests of the Lake eildon Solution. Initially it was trialled at Aiden Gale’s home with samples of output being sent to a laboratory. The initial results were most positive.
This led to trialling this system on a houseboat. The industry in indebted to LEHIA Member Paul Williams from Houseboat Assist who volunteered his houseboat “Imagine” to trial the system.
Again, DEECA was part of the process and supported this trial. The Lake Eildon Solution was installed on Imagine in late October 2023. As Paul Williams was using his houseboat on a very regular basis due to Houseboat Assist business and having family and friends on Imagine during the holiday season, the system would receive a solid workout.
The Lake Eildon Solution created by Aiden Gale and John Gysberts used some products already in the market place and then their brilliant minds did the rest.
Initially the Lake Eildon Solution comprised: –
(i) A Strainer System (The Gator Pro System) which contains a small pump.
(ii) A earth filter system containing Diatomaceous. Diatomaceous is a natural chemical and is a substitute to Chlorine which is not permitted in impoundments (dams). This is housed in a filter which looks very much like a sand filter you use for a domestic swimming pool.
(iii) A UV Light Filtration: the grey water passes through the UV Light Filtration and what is left is safe to be returned to the Lake. Many people already use UV Lights to filter their drinking water on a houseboat.
As part of the trial on Imagine, the system was tested for odour, noise and electricity or power draw by qualified people appointed by DEECA. Very happy to report the system more than satisfied these requirements.
In February Paul Williams noticed the system was slowing down taking longer to manage the input. Aiden and John inspected the system and after 4 months of constant and heavy use the system required a service or clean.
With this knowledge and seeking to further improve the Lake Eildon Solution, Aiden & John believed the installation of a Grease Trap would add to the performance of the system. This has now been added to the system and the trial continues.
Aiden & John believe that with the addition of the Grease Trap servicing or cleaning of the system will most probably be required around 6 to 9 months if not longer. Bearing in mind that Imagine has regular and consistent use, the expectation is on a normal houseboat with normal use patterns this servicing could be an annual service. The continuing trial will help inform this.
Next steps working with DEECA is for further testing of the output of the system being discharged into Lake Eildon. This is being organized.
Then the expectation is that this Lake Eildon Solution will prove that it meets the requirements of DEECA (Dept of Health & EPA) and be a system that is approved for use on the houseboats at Lake Eildon.
This brings the discussion back to the Review of the Lake Eildon Houseboat regulations. The new Regulations were due to be in place for 1st July 2023. Due to a number of reasons (Covid-19 being one) permission was sought from the State Government Cabinet to extend the timeline. This was extended to June 2024.
The Draft Regulations have been out for Public Comment; this period has completed, and all input is being assessed.
The Draft Regulations indicate that a Comprehensive Grey Water System (i.e. like the Lake Eildon Solution) once a system is approved will be required for houseboats new to Lake Eildon and the Commercial Hire Houseboat Fleet.
The Draft Regulations are asking for all other existing Houseboats (excluding Categories 1 & 2) to install a Grease Trap under their sinks. Houseboat owners will have up to 9 years to comply with this request. These timelines are to enable houseboat owners to instal the grease trap when the houseboat comes out of the water for its 5-to-7-year service and inspection.
Feedback from Paul Williams is that he has noticed a significant reduction in scum in the water around Imagine since the installation of the Lake Eildon Solution. With this knowledge, once people have confidence in the Lake Eildon Solution, we believe that many people will voluntarily begin installing the Comprehensive System.
After the debacle that was the process for the 2013 Review, I would like to highly commend the team at DEECA Rural Water Policy & Programs for the process this time. A process which has seen respect of the knowledge, expertise, experience, and passion of those working in the industry and all working for a workable positive solution that will ensure Lake Eildon remains that special place for so many for generations to come.
On Friday 3rd May 2024 LEHIA together with the BIA Vic hosted Minister Dimopoulos at Lake Eildon. Minister Dimopoulos has a number of Ministerial responsibilities. One is Minister for the Environment. Fortunately, I was able show the Minister the Lake Eildon Solution for Grey Water Discharge on Imagine. Then I was able to make the following statement to the Minister. “Minister when this system is formally approved and is being installed on newly built houseboats, we will have the most Environmentally Friendly Houseboats in the World at Lake Eildon”. The Minister appeared to like this statement.
Regards
Mike Dalmau
President
LEHIA
14-05-2024