Oyster farms alerted after raw sewage spilt into Tweed canal
Residents have raised the alarm after an infrastructure failure resulted in raw sewage spilling into a canal — and potentially further afield.
Council
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RESIDENTS have raised the alarm after an infrastructure failure at Tweed Heads West resulted in raw sewage spilling into a canal and potentially the Terranora Broadwater.
Tweed Shire Council has contacted the operators of nearby oyster farms and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), advising them of the messy mishap.
The council said council staff have been responding to the “sewer break” near the intersection of Gollan Dr and Lakes Dr.
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A sewer pumping main failed about 9.55am.
Members of the public have been advised to avoid contact with the water in the canal that runs parallel to Jacaranda Dr south from Lakes Dr until further notice.
“Staff responded immediately to isolate the break and divert flows through another pipeline, to restore flows to the Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant by 10.30am,” the council stated.
“Council sandbagged adjacent stormwater inlets to contain the sewage by 10:15am and used a tanker to collect and transport it to an unaffected part of the sewerage system.
“However, a quantity of raw sewage has entered the southern canal near Lakes Dr, through the stormwater system.”
The council has been taking water samples and determining the impact of the spill on the canal and the broadwater.
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It has erected ‘no swimming’ signs along the canal between Jacaranda Ave and Gollan Dr, south of Lakes Dr.
The council’s manager of water and wastewater Anthony Burnham said the public were advised to avoid contact with the water in that area until a further announcement was made confirming the water quality had returned to safe levels.
Mr Burnham said the pipe diversion had restored sewerage services to Tweed Heads West and the priority going forward would be to monitor the effects and keep the community informed.
The “damaged rising main” is being assessed so repairs can be carried out.
It’s expected work will be completed by late Wednesday.
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