TasWater Campbell Town: EPA investigate vile black ‘discharge’

UPDATED: The EPA has revealed its finding into thick, black ‘discharge’ captured on video oozing onto a Tasmanian riverbank from a TasWater facility. WATCH THE VIDEO >>

UPDATED: Tasmania’s Environmental Protection authority has concluded its investigation into a foul-smelling, thick black discharge released from a TasWater water treatment facility into a river’s riparian zone.

Video obtained by the Mercury in February showed the viscous matter oozing from a pipe connected to TasWater’s Campbell Town treatment facility onto the banks of the Elizabeth River.

A witness said the discharge was “disgusting” and reeked of “sewage”.

Images taken in its aftermath appeared to show bleached animal bones left in the discharge’s wake.

An EPA representative said their investigations support TasWater’s earlier statements that the black matter was activated carbon used in the water treatment process to remove taste and odour.

Bleached bones amid black discharge from TasWater's Campbell Town water treatment plant. Picture: Supplied

“Activated carbon is unlikely to have a detrimental impact on the Elizabeth River,” the representative said.

“TasWater advised that the activated charcoal should be removed during the treatment process and not discharged, and that a process disruption had caused it to be released.

“The EPA understand Northern Midlands Council are continuing to work with TasWater to prevent further discharges.”

EARLIER, February 9: The Environmental Protection Authority is investigating after video taken in the Northern Midlands showed a thick, rancid “discharge” flowing from a pipe connected to a TasWater water treatment plant into a nearby river’s riparian zone, leaving behind bleached white animal bones.

TasWater, meanwhile, says there is “no public health concern” from the discharge.

The video, understood to have been captured at some time on Monday, February 7, was taken by a fisherman wetting a line in Elizabeth River, which runs near TasWater’s Campbell Town facility at the end of Bedford St.

The fisherman said the discharge was “disgusting” and reeked of “sewage”.

“It’s flowing into our river, not a very nice thing to find considering a lot of people swim in this river,” he said.

TasWater said the discharge was from “carbon dosing”.

“Carbon dosing is used as a treatment for taste and odour issues in the raw water and is then discharged, a representative said.

“Usually when it is discharged it is settled out and appears clear, this has not been the case as it has remained in suspension.

“TasWater has checked to ensure all the processes at the plant are operating effectively.

“There is no public health concern.

Rancid black discharge from TasWater's Campbell Town water treatment plant. Picture: Supplied

“In regard to the bones, the discharge does pass through an open drain which wildlife would have access to.”

The representative said TasWater was “working closely” will the EPA.

An EPA representative said the authority was alerted to the discharge on Tuesday morning and “collected ambient water samples and made observations of the discharge”.

“The EPA has discussed the discharge with Northern Midlands Council and TasWater to determine the substance and the source,” they said.