Sewage spills on Risdon Prison grounds due to recent heavy rain and increasing development in area says TasWater

Sewage spills on the grounds of Risdon Prison are due to recent heavy rain and an increasing amount of development in the nearby area, says TasWater.

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TASWATER crews have been on site at Risdon Prison after the second sewage spill in six weeks.

A TasWater spokeswoman said a recent spill on the prison grounds had now stopped and had been caused by storm water inundation.

The spokeswoman said the incident did not pose a risk to public health and a crew would go out to the site to clean up the area today[Wednesday].

A similar issue also occurred around six weeks ago, which TasWater has attributed to an increase in development in the Risdon area and recent heavy rainfalls.

The spokeswoman said TasWater was investigating opportunities to minimise the likelihood of the spillages happening again in the future.

Nearby developments include new residential subdivision Olive Grove Estate plus there is also development ongoing at the prison site itself, with construction of the new $70 million southern remand centre.

It is understood no prison services or buildings had been impacted by the spills.

Grasstree Hill Rivulet runs near the boundary of the property.

A nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had witnessed sewage spillages on the prison grounds on several occasions.

“Every time we get heavy rain it happens,” he said.

“Ultimately, it will end up in the water at Risdon Cove and there is a preschool down there.”