So the neighbours drain overflowed and the whole complexes sewage flowed into our garden. We have watered everything down but are seriously worried about disease and contamination. What is the best way to clean up grass and garden soil areas?
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How to sort out sewage spill
- Thread starter Patty
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Goobie
Expert Member
Let it dry out in the sun for a day or two, you will be fine
Quite a fortuitous name OP 
I'd contact a Hazmat company to come and decontaminate. I wouldn't mess with human waste. Also your insurance should cover a certain amount towards your gardens damage. Dump this mess in your brokers lap to sort out costs for cleanup with the body corporate.
I'd contact a Hazmat company to come and decontaminate. I wouldn't mess with human waste. Also your insurance should cover a certain amount towards your gardens damage. Dump this mess in your brokers lap to sort out costs for cleanup with the body corporate.
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Is the spill stopped now?
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
OK, so there are three things you should now consider....
1) Do you involve your complex insurance company if there resultant damage?
2) Will the spill happen again? What is the real root cause for the spill?
3) Is there a possibility of disease or hazard from the spill?
Number 3 is not usually an issue, especially if you have already hosed everything down.
The heat should dry it out pretty quickly and it will help the grass slightly.
Any other chemicals you try to use may end up doing more damage.
Best possibility there is "less is better"
Rather focus on preventing a recurrence.
The body corporate arranged a plumber so the drains won't overflow again because the blockage has been solved. The Neighbour is going to wash down his pavement and it will reflow down into our garden.
Our main concern is Heath wise for us and our dogs. I was thinking vinegar but it seems that kills the grass too.
Our main concern is Heath wise for us and our dogs. I was thinking vinegar but it seems that kills the grass too.
I can't think of anything that you could use to kill the bacteria present in human waste that would not be dangerous to you and your dogs.
I would suggest contacting someone more knowledgeable however. I don't know you would get hold of one, but see if you can find someone who works with hazardous materials. We are not experts!
Bear in mind that there is already bacteria everywhere - in the soil, on the plants, etc etc.
I would suggest contacting someone more knowledgeable however. I don't know you would get hold of one, but see if you can find someone who works with hazardous materials. We are not experts!
Bear in mind that there is already bacteria everywhere - in the soil, on the plants, etc etc.