Residents along the Murrumbidgee River are being advised not to drink, cook or water livestock with water from the river for the next few days following the discharge of partially treated effluent.
Issuing the advice earlier this week, Icon Water said residents along the Murrumbidgee River – from the junction of the Molonglo River and above Burrinjuck Reservoir – should avoid drawing water from the river for either potable (drinking or food preparation) or non-potable (domestic or stock watering) purposes for the coming days.
It also advised against swimming and other bodily contact water sports in that section of the Murrumbidgee River.
“Due to the heavy rain over recent days and significantly increased flow in the sewerage system, the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre wastewater treatment plant bypass dam is discharging partially treated and settled effluent into the Molonglo River,” Icon Water said.
“With more rainfall forecast, further discharges of partially treated effluent may still occur over the coming days,” it said.
“The majority of effluent discharged from the plant continues to be fully treated and disinfected.”
Icon Water said the large volume of stormwater from heavy rains significantly diluted effluent inflows received at the treatment plant.
“The proportion of partially treated effluent discharging into the river system represents less than one per cent of the Murrumbidgee River flow,” the company said.
“There is no risk to the ACT water supply as the effluent is released downstream of our water sources,” it said.
“ACT residents can continue to use their taps and drinking water as usual,” it said.
