PARTIALLY treated sewage has spilled into the Molonglo River overnight following a weekend of heavy rain, which increased the flow in the Lower Molonglo Quality Control Centre sewerage system. 

Icon Water advises that some spilling from their bypass storage dam may still occur over the coming days as they continue to process the inflow following the 50mm 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 per cent of the Molonglo River flow and less than 1 per cent of the Murrumbidgee River flow, said Icon Water in a statement this morning (September 6).

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,” said an Icon Water spokesperson.

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