Public Health alert lifted for most of Derwent River

** Updated 22 December 2024 **

The Public Health alert advising against swimming in the River Derwent, issued on Thursday 19 December, has been lifted for all locations except the western end of Bellerive Beach.

The warning followed a process failure at a TasWater sewage treatment plant, which led to incompletely treated effluent entering the river.

Water samples collected by Councils on Friday have shown that water quality at the following monitored beaches is safe for recreational activities, including swimming:

• Nutgrove Beach in Sandy Bay
• Long Beach in Sandy Bay
• Howrah Beach
• Little Howrah Beach
• Windermere Beach in Glenorchy

However, testing identified a localised water quality issue at the western end of Bellerive Beach, which is now subject to further investigation by Council. Public Health advice remains to avoid swimming at this location until further notice.

Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, confirmed that water quality testing results indicate it is now safe to resume recreational activities in the Derwent River.

“I am pleased to confirm that the water in the River Derwent is safe levels for recreational activities at all locations except the western end of Bellerive Beach,” Dr Veitch said.

“This is great news for the Tasmanian community as we head into warmer weather and the holiday season.”

While the test results are reassuring, Dr Veitch reminded the community of longstanding advice to wait at least two days after heavy rain before swimming at urban beaches and to avoid swimming near stormwater outlets. Rainfall can wash pollutants into the marine environment, temporarily affecting water quality.

19 December 2024: A failure of a biological treatment process in the Hobart area has resulted incomplete treatment of effluent that has been discharged into the Derwent River near Berriedale.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and TasWater are managing the incident.

Public Health advice is for the public to avoid activities in the River Derwent that involve full immersion in water, such as swimming. The advice applies to the river between Austins Ferry and Old Beach in the north to Sandy Bay across to Howrah in the south.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch has urged Tasmanians to not put themselves at risk and to avoid unnecessary contact with potentially contaminated waters.

“Sewage in water used for recreational activities like swimming poses a risk to health from viruses and bacteria.

“These risks can include gastroenteritis (diarrhoea or vomiting) and infections of the skin, ears or eyes.”

This advice is deliberately cautious and will apply until further water testing is completed to confirm the safety of swimming sites.

Public Health Services will then issue further updates on this matter.

People with health concerns should seek advice from their local health professional such as their General Practitioner or Community Pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions 

• On 19 December 2024, a public health alert was issued advising against swimming in the River Derwent. 
• The alert was due to the failure of a biological treatment process at a TasWater sewage treatment plant near Berriedale in Hobart’s northern suburbs. 
• Results of testing of samples of water from recreational and other sites along the Derwent enabled the public health alert to be lifted on 22 December.
• A localised water quality issue at the western end of Bellerive Beach was followed up with further testing. This site is now safe for swimming.
• The Derwent Estuary Program Beach Watch website provides current advice on the quality of water at swimming beaches in and near Hobart.

What happened? 

• Incompletely treated effluent was being discharged into the River Derwent.
• Sewage in water used for recreational activities like swimming poses a risk to health from viruses and bacteria.
• The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and TasWater are managing the incident to ensure that ongoing discharges do not pose a risk to human health.

Can I catch and eat fish?

• People who participate in recreational fishing in the River Derwent should follow existing advice on the types and quantity of fish they should consume. The Derwent Estuary Program provide information on fishing and seafood safety in the Derwent River. 
• As with all seafood, follow the recommended advice on handling and cooking seafood. Find more about seafood on the Food Safety Information Council website. 

Where do I find more information?

• The TasWater website 
• The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) website 
• Lean more about regular monitoring of water quality in the Derwent River through the Derwent Estuary’s Beach Watch program