Discharge of partially treated effluent

Icon Water advises that due to the heavy rain over the weekend and increased flow in the sewerage system, the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre wastewater treatment plant has discharged partially treated effluent into the Molonglo River overnight. Some spilling from our bypass storage dam may still occur over the coming days as we continue to process the inflow following the 50 mm of rainfall across the Canberra region over the weekend.
The majority of effluent discharged from the plant continues to be fully treated and fully disinfected. The proportion of partially treated effluent in relation to flows within the river system represents less than 2% of the Molonglo River flow and less than 1% of the Murrumbidgee River flow.

Icon Water recommends that residents on the section of the Murrumbidgee River, from the junction of the Molonglo River and above Burrinjuck Reservoir, 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. Icon Water also advises against swimming and other bodily contact water sports in this section of Murrumbidgee River over this period.

Please note that there is no risk to the ACT water supply as the effluent is released downstream. ACT residents can continue to use their taps and drinking water as usual.

Icon Water has notified both the ACT and NSW Environment Protection Authorities (EPAs), ACT Health and close by residents affected by the discharge. 

For further information, please call Icon Water’s faults and emergencies line on 02 6248 3111. For updates, please go to iconwater.com.au/mediareleases or twitter.com/iconwater 
 

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