A section of Lake Jindabyne has been closed after a sewage spill. Photo: MrActiniuM/Wikimedia Commons.
UPDATE, 5:40 pm on 2 April: A section of Lake Jindabyne has reopened after a temporary closure due to a sewage spill.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) on Monday (30 March) announced that the lake’s waters were closed to the public at the Claypits, following the incident.
At the time, the council asked people to avoid contact with the water while they investigated.
Staff collected samples from the lake and sent them for testing at a Canberra laboratory.
“Council has now reopened the lake to the public and we thank the Jindabyne community for their cooperation while this area of the lake was closed,” a spokesperson said.
“Public safety is our main priority, and while the risk of contamination exposure from this event was small, it was important to wait until we could be sure that everything was 100% safe before the lake was reopened.”
The incident is still being investigated.
Update 31 March, 8:30 am: Residents and water users can expect test results into a sewage spill in Lake Jindabyne by mid-week.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) announced that the lake’s waters were closed to the public at the Claypits yesterday afternoon (30 March), following a sewage spill.
At the time, the council asked people to avoid contact with the water while they investigated.
In response to questions from Region, a council spokesperson said it was unknown how long it would last.
“The length of the closure is going to depend on when the testing results are received and what they tell us.”
They also said further closures aren’t expected, with “any contaminants” considered unlikely to spread beyond the “immediate area” of the spill.
Council’s Water and Wastewater Team collected samples on Monday.
These samples have been transported to the nearest National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)-accredited testing facility in Canberra for testing, while the SMRC staff continue their investigation into the source of the spill.
A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesperson confirmed it was also aware of the incident.
“We are monitoring the clean-up activities to ensure Council is managing the spill appropriately,” they told Region.
Test results are expected within 48 hours, with NSW EPA set to review the results when provided by the council.
Previously, SMRC has asked people to phone 1300 345 345 or e-mail [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
30 March, 2:55 pm: Testing is ongoing after a sewage spill at Lake Jindabyne.
This afternoon (30 March), a Snowy Monaro Regional Council spokesperson said the lake’s waters were closed to the public at the Claypits.
“Council cautions the public to avoid swimming, rowing, paddleboarding, fishing, or any other activity likely to cause contact with lake water at the Claypits until further notice,” the spokesperson said.
“The carpark, parkland and other public amenities at the Claypits remain safe and open to the public.”
The closure takes effect from today.
The highlighted section has been closed. Image: Snowy Monaro Regional Council.
An investigation and testing are underway to determine the cause and extent of the spill.
Safety warning signs have also been installed around the foreshore and people are asked to avoid the area.
“While the affected lake water poses a low risk to the public, it is safest to avoid exposure until testing results have confirmed that the lake waters at the Claypits are 100 per cent safe,” the council spokesperson said.
They also said people could phone 1300 345 345 or email [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
