GC reports Worst Environmental Disaster in History
The faeces have hit the fan at the City of Gold Coast after it was discovered that millions of litres of sewage have been spilling into the Albert River for months.
A broken sewerage pipe taking sewage from the northern suburbs to the Beenleigh treatment plan at Eagleby has been spilling into the Albert River since as early as January.
The City of Gold Coast’s monitoring systems failed to notice the leaks, and now an independent investigation has been ordered into what is believed to be the worst environmental disaster in the city’s history.
According to a statement from the City of Gold Coast, at least 364 million litres of sewage—enough to fill 145 Olympic swimming pools—had spilt into the river from the leak.
The City of Gold Coast continues to work with environmental regulators.
Repairs on the sewer main, which was finally detected in a paddock near the Albert River in the Yatala/Stapylton area, were completed on Friday, April 12.
Results of microbial testing have confirmed that the Albert River is safe for recreational use, but Queensland Health recommends that any seafood caught in the tidal reaches of Albert or Logan River not be consumed.
Queensland Health recommends that any person who believes that they have become unwell from consuming fish they have caught to contact the GP for further advice.