East Gippsland Water (EGW) recently began “a controlled release of recycled water (treated wastewater)” from its Metung treatment facility into the nearby Tambo Bay Wetlands.
The onsite storage for recycled water has reached capacity following significant rainfall across the East Gippsland region over the past 18 months and EGW says “a controlled release is critical to prevent an uncontrolled overflow to the surrounding community”.
EGW’s executive manager of service delivery, Neville Pearce, said: “We have exhausted all alternatives to avoid this action”.
Mr Pearce said “a slow, controlled discharged” was now essential.
East Gippsland Water plans to released an estimated 130 megalitres of recycled water over two months into the Tambo Bay Wetlands, located partly on the site of the treatment facility, which also receives stormwater, where it will be further diluted.

IMAGE: The controlled release of treated wastewater enters Tambo Bay last month.