For immediate release
Icon Water advises that due to the heavy rain over the past two days entering the sewerage system, the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre treatment plant is expected to discharge a small amount of partially treated effluent into the Molonglo River.
This is expected to occur within approximately the next 6 hours (around midnight) as the rain continues.
The majority of the flow that will be discharged will continue to be fully treated and fully disinfected, with a small portion of partially treated effluent that is not fully disinfected. The proportion of this in relation to flows within the river system is less than 2% of the Molonglo River flow, and less than 0.5% of the Murrumbidgee River flow.
Icon Water advises residents on the section of the Murrumbidgee River, from the junction of the Molonglo River and above Burrinjuck Reservoir, not to draw water from the river for either potable (drinking or food preparation) or non-potable (domestic or stock watering) purposes for the next 48 hours. 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. 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 that may be affected by the discharge.
