HEALTH ALERT – Sydney Water has advised that people and their pets should avoid all contact with the Georges River from Macquarie Fields to Botany Bay until Saturday 30 November. This includes swimming, sailing, canoeing and fishing.

Q     What occurred at Sydney Water’s Glenfield Wastewater Treatment Plant?

As a result of heavy rainfall in the Campbelltown area on Friday 22 November, untreated wastewater flowed from the Glenfield Wastewater Treatment Plant into the Georges River.

An intense down pour flooded the inlet pumping station at the plant on Friday night, combined with a valve failure in the pumping station, impacted operations. As a result untreated wastewater began flowing from the Glenfield Wastewater Treatment Plant into Bunbury Curran Creek which flows into the Georges River. The flow stopped at approximately 11.45pm on Sunday 24 November.

Q      How much wastewater was released?

We estimate about 150 mega litres was released.

Q     Why did it happen and why didn’t Sydney Water prevent it?

The exact cause is still to be confirmed, however we now know there was a valve failure in the pumping station. Sydney Water acknowledges the seriousness of this matter and we will undertake a full review of the incident.

Q     What is Sydney Water doing to fix the issue?

Crews have worked since Friday night to pump the wastewater into the plant for treatment using generators and portable pumps. It is a complex fix, involving cranes to extract the damaged pumps which were submerged under 7 metres of water.  These pumps are now being dried, fixed and reinstalled.  We are in the process of bringing these pumps back online.

What is happening at the plant now?

The flow of untreated wastewater ceased on Sunday night at 11:45pm. The plant is operational and its capacity is being progressively increased.

The pumping station is now working again.

Q     Is the Georges River contaminated?

Sydney Water has been testing the river at multiple locations since the incident occurred. Click here for the map of the testing locations.

The tests are being performed at Sydney Water’s NATA accredited laboratory. As at 2pm Thursday 28 November testing indicates the  main impacted area is confined upstream of the Liverpool Weir with minor impacts downstream. There is no impact on Chipping Norton Lake (please see front page of Sydney Water’s website for latest information).

NSW Health recommends that people and their pets should avoid all contact with the Georges River from Macquarie Fields to Botany Bay until Saturday 30 November, including swimming, sailing, canoeing and fishing.

Q     What is Sydney Water doing to fix the pollution in the Georges River?

Sydney Water crews are onsite in multiple locations along Bunbury Curran Creek and the Georges River cleaning the river bank.  We have installed four aerators in the river to maintain oxygen levels. We are doing environmental monitoring in multiple locations upstream and downstream of the Glenfield Plant.  In addition, Environment Protection Authority (EPA) officers have visited the Glenfield Plant to inspect progress.

The water recycler at work at Liverpool weir.

Q     How did Sydney Water inform the local community?

On Friday 22 November at approximately 10.30pm a message was placed on Sydney Water’s website alerting customers to the issue.  Following further consultation with NSW Health and the EPA a media release was issued at 10.30am on Saturday 23 November advising the community to avoid contact with the Georges for 48 hours. A further media release  was issued at 9am on Monday 25 November extending the alert for another 48 hours. On Wednesday 27 November  the NSW Health warning  was extended to Saturday morning. Both health alerts were repeated through social media channels. Sydney Water also updated local Councils, community groups and other relevant authorities.

Q     When will it be safe to go into the river?

At this stage, NSW Health has advised the community to avoid contact with the Georges River until 9am Saturday 30 November.  Sydney Water will continue to monitor the condition of the river and continue to work with NSW Health and the EPA. Please check Sydney Water’s website for the latest details.

Q     Is drinking water affected?

Drinking water is not affected.

Q     Where can I get more information?

Sydney Water is regularly updating the website with the latest information as it comes to hand (www.sydneywater.com.au). Customers are encouraged to call 13 20 90 if they have any questions or concerns.

Q     What are the long term impacts on the river?

We are not expecting any long term impacts on marine and aquatic life.

http://www.sydneywaternews.com.au/2013/11/26/facts-on-georges-river/