Thermotolerant (faecal) coliform alert for Terranora Creek and waterways

09 November 2017

No swim warning after incident at Wastewater Treatment Plant

Council is working to manage and contain a diluted sewage spill in the Terranora Inlet, following an incident at the Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A large volume of raw wastewater bypassed from the inlet works of the plant to the final holding lagoon within the plant without treatment. In the final holding lagoon it was diluted with treated wastewater. A portion of this diluted wastewater was then discharged into the Terranora Inlet at the Navy Base on Dry Dock Road through the licenced discharge point for the plant.

The discharge began on Tuesday morning and was stopped by 5.30 pm Wednesday. All sewage and diluted wastewater has been held within the plant for re-treatment since that time.

The Environmental Protection Authority and other relevant authorities were notified immediately.

Council is also liaising with local oyster growers to ensure water quality testing measures are in place and is monitoring any effects on aquatic life.

Initial testing of water around the point of discharge showed higher than normal levels of thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms.

“This is a rare event and we are taking steps to manage the situation at the treatment plant and bring it back to normal operation,” Director Engineering David Oxenham said.

“As a precaution, we ask that residents don’t swim, canoe, water ski, jet ski or fish in parts of Terranora Broadwater and Cobaki Broadwater and Terranora Creek down to Boyds Bay Bridge – including adjoining canals - until further notice.”

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Caption: Map showing discharge point and the area possibly affected by increased e-coli levels