Septic tanks consigned to history

Mangles residents will finally be able to connect to a sewerage network in a $4.6 million program for the southern Bunbury locality in the looming State Budget.

About 150 houses west of Ocean Drive, south to Mangles Street and north to Joel Crescent will have up to five years to forgo their septic tanks and connect to the infill sewerage system, said a spokeswoman for Water Minister Mia Davies.

She said the connection cost to ratepayers could "start at around $1500" but would vary pending factors such as distance from the infrastructure mains to the house and the ground conditions.

The rollout, known as the Bunbury 46A Infill Sewerage Project, is part of a $50 million upgrade program for 10 WA locations.

Ms Davies made the announcement at the weekend and it is expected the infill sewerage program could begin as early as the next financial year.

Housing Minister and South West MLC Colin Holt released a statement welcoming the announcement and said it would bring a number of benefits to Bunbury.

Mr Holt said replacing septic tank systems reduced health and environmental risks.

"I look forward to the construction phase beginning and contributing towards more efficient and safe wastewater management practices in Bunbury," he said.

"The project is one of five infill schemes announced for regional WA," he said.

"It will join a number of other completed and ongoing works as part of the State's infill sewerage program that has already connected more than 92,000 West Australian households to the central wastewater system."

Esperance, Bridgetown and parts of Toby Inlet via Dunsborough have also been selected by the State Government for the infill sewerage capital works funding.