A significant process failure has occurred at TasWater's wastewater treatment plant at Cameron Bay, resulting in discharge of incompletely treated effluent to the Derwent River this week.
The Environment Protection Authority is investigating the incident, confirmed as being non-compliant trade waste discharge (high concentration of sugar water) from the Mondelez factory at Claremont, and its potential to cause environmental harm and nuisance.
The Director Public Health has issued a warning advising the public not to swim in the Derwent River between Austins Ferry and Old Beach in the north, to Sandy Bay and across to Howrah in the south, and to otherwise avoid unnecessary contact with potentially contaminated waters. The notice will remain in place until further notice.
The EPA is working with TasWater and Public Health Services to resolve the situation in a timely manner, and to ensure Mondelez has a lawful alternative for effluent disposal while the Cameron Bay treatment plant is restored.
For more information, visit:
Department of Health advise on not to swim in the River Derwent
www.taswater.com.au
Published on:
20/12/2024