People living beside the Murrumbidgee River, from the junction of the Molonglo River and above Burrinjuck Reservoir, are being advised not to swim in or draw water from the river for the next 48 hours due to the release of partially treated effluent into the river system.
Icon Water issued the warning on Tuesday evening, saying the heavy rain over the past two days had caused the Lower Molonglo water treatment plant to have to discharge the sewage water before it was fully disinfected.
The partially treated effluent will be a small portion of the flow that will be released, making up about 2 per cent of the Molonglo River flow and less than half a per cent of the Murrumbidgee River flow.
The warning applies to drawing water for either potable (drinking or food preparation) or non-potable (domestic or stock watering) purposes.
Icon Water has notified the ACT and NSW environmental protection authorities as well as nearby residents.
There is no risk to the ACT water supply, and residents can continue to use their taps and drinking water as usual.
- For more information call Icon Water's faults and emergencies line on 02 6248 3111, or go to iconwater.com.au/mediareleases or twitter.com/iconwater
