1 March 2012

Brown water gets smelly as the effluent flows

| johnboy
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ActewAGL are warning that adventure kayakers and inner tubers have another reason to stay out of the water:

ActewAGL advises that due to heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours infiltrating the sewer pipe system, the treatment plant at Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre is discharging an amount of partially treated and untreated effluent into the Molonglo River.

ActewAGL advises all residents on the Murrumbidgee River, downstream from the junction of the Molonglo River and above Burrinjuck Reservoir, and the general public not to draw water from the above section of the Murrumbidgee River for either potable (drinking or food preparation) or non-potable domestic purposes for the next 72 hours, due to potentially increased health risks resulting from the partially treated and untreated effluent. We also advise against swimming and other water contact sports in the Murrumbidgee River over this period.

Please note that there is no risk to the ACT water supply.

ActewAGL has notified the Environment Protection Authority and ACT Health.

UPDATE: We’ve also heard Lake Burley Griffin is full of Queanbeyan’s brown stuff. Again.

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Quangers have had trouble with their sewerage for decades. That Caravan Park on Morrisett, near the old Marco Polo club, always had a delightful whiff down the river end, but it was only when the council started mucking around with the equipment across the road that people realised it was the town sewerage that was doing it, not the caravan park. They upgraded that, but the frequent leaks into the river continue unabated. Maybe they hope that the residents of Canberra will take up a collection and do it for them.

Seriously this happens EVERY SINGLE TIME it rains heavily. Are they ever going to fix it? Write to the ACT Government.

shirty_bear said :

We can hardly get stroppy about Qbn poo if we’re sending ours down the ‘Bidgee too.

The warning only stands for 72 hours? How does the poo know its 72 hours is up?

I don’t know about you but my poo knows the time. Every morning at 06:27 (just before I leave for work) I have to go so it’s probably not a major maths issue for the average poo to work out…

We can hardly get stroppy about Qbn poo if we’re sending ours down the ‘Bidgee too.

The warning only stands for 72 hours? How does the poo know its 72 hours is up?

Typical ‘effluent’ comments here

Mr Evil said :

milkman said :

Every time I hear about Queanbeyan s**t flowing into Canberra water my spirit soars.

Some Canberrans would suggest that Queanbeyan’s sh*t travels across the border every day, via Canberra Avenue. 🙂

Comments like this are exactly the reason us Queanbeyanites enjoy giving Canberra s*** for a change. 🙂

milkman said :

Every time I hear about Queanbeyan s**t flowing into Canberra water my spirit soars.

Some Canberrans would suggest that Queanbeyan’s sh*t travels across the border every day, via Canberra Avenue. 🙂

Every time I hear about Queanbeyan s**t flowing into Canberra water my spirit soars.

Why would anyone need to draw water from the Murrumbidgee for any reason at this time?

Spectra said :

How does a significant amount of rainwater “infiltrate” the sewage system? (Genuine question – I’m not suggesting they’re making it up).

Illegal connections from roof guttering downpipes and other household/private stormwater sources into the sewage system is one way this occurs.

Dodgy builders in Canberra – never.

How does a significant amount of rainwater “infiltrate” the sewage system? (Genuine question – I’m not suggesting they’re making it up).

kambahkrawler3:32 pm 01 Mar 12

“UPDATE: We’ve also heard Lake Burley Griffin is full of Queanbeyan’s brown stuff. Again.”

To be sure, that’s the turd time in a year.

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