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Secret Report: Fatberg Clogs Malabar Sewer
16 Jan
Summary
- A massive fatberg in Sydney's Malabar sewer may be releasing debris balls.
- Fixing the issue requires shutting down the outfall, closing beaches for months.
- Fats, oils, and grease levels have significantly increased in the sewer system.
A secret report obtained by Guardian Australia points to a massive fatberg within Sydney Water's Malabar deepwater ocean sewer as the likely source of debris balls that impacted Sydney beaches in late 2024 and early 2025. The accumulation of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) is occurring in an inaccessible area, making its exact size and containment difficult to ascertain.
Rectifying the situation necessitates a complete shutdown of the 2.3km offshore outfall for maintenance. This would involve diverting sewage to a cliff-face discharge, a procedure that would lead to Sydney's beaches being closed for months. This has "never been done" and is "no longer considered an acceptable approach" by Sydney Water.
FOG levels in the Malabar system have surged by 39% over the past decade, with volatile organic compounds increasing by 125%. Sydney Water plans ongoing cleaning of accessible areas and public education campaigns, while a $3 billion investment program over the next decade aims to reduce wastewater discharge volume.
