'Just Google it': canned sewer contract leaves residents steaming

Awaba resident Charlene Barnard is one of 200 residents who have been left to find their own pump-out services. Picture by Jonathan Carroll

ALMOST 200 residents from the western side of Lake Macquarie say they've been left up the creek without a paddle after the council canned a contract with Remondis for sewer pump-out services.

Charlene Barnard and her husband Gus are one of about 195 households who were unceremoniously told to "search the internet" for terms like 'sewage removal services Hunter area' or 'sewage removal services near me' because their septic tank wouldn't be emptied from June 30.