Since the sludge ponds came into formation over the past year, their property value has dropped, and, in a climate where property values have been rising significantly, a real estate agent has told them theirs will stagnate over the next 10-15 years.

“No one wants to buy a house with a pond of reclaimed sewage water on their back doorstep,” Andrew Phillip said.

“We want some compensation for this.”

Mr Phillip’s wife has been losing sleep, gripped by the realisation she may have to move from her home of eight years.

Mr Phillip wants to sell his property to Shoalhaven City Council, but he doesn’t know if they will take him up on the offer.

Seven properties in total have been affected and other residents are considering the same move.

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has offered to help residents craft a letter to council, asking council to buy their homes.

Council held public meetings about the development prior to approval, however, Mr Phillip claims his family had no knowledge of the development until two weeks before construction.

“They knocked on our doors two weeks before construction, and it was too late,” Mr Phillip said.

“It had all been approved.”

A Shoalhaven Water spokesperson claims there was adequate consultation.

“Council has undertaken extensive community consultation with all aspects of the scheme, through newsletters, community open days, website updates, social media, news articles and exhibition of relevant documents,” a spokesperson said.

Council did not comment on whether it would compensate the family, or consider buying the property, as no formal requests have been received.

The sludge pools are part of the expansion of Shoalhaven Water’s Reclaimed Water Management scheme.

The scheme, operating since 2002, provides about two billion litres of reclaimed water per year from four sewage treatment plants for irrigation on local dairy farms, golf courses and playing fields.