Sewage leak prompts Broadwater swimming warning ahead of Christmas
The Broadwater, off Biggera Waters, on the Gold Coast. (ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale)
In short:
Health warnings have been issued for waterways around Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast.
The City of Gold Coast says a sewer main broke on Monday night but has been contained.
What's next?
Water testing has been carried out, with residents warned not to eat fish or crabs from the area for 72 hours.
Officials are telling people not to swim or fish along a section of the popular Gold Coast Broadwater ahead of the busy Christmas period, due to a sewage leak.
Signs warning people against swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, or fishing have been installed by the local council around Quota Park at Biggera Waters overnight.
People have also been advised to keep their pets out of the water.
"Residents are urged to follow signage advising against direct water contact, as it may cause illness to humans and animals," a City of Gold Coast spokesperson said in a statement.
Affected locations include the Ryder Park boat ramp, Quota Park, Stradbroke North Park, and along Coombabah Road and Lae Drive.
The area just north of Surfers Paradise is a popular location for recreational boaties and swimmers.
The council spokesperson said that a sewer main broke at Harbour Quays Drive, around 2 kilometres west of the Broadwater, on Monday night.
A sign warning people not to swim at the Broadwater, Biggera Waters. (ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale)
The leak was contained within 24 hours, according to council, however it is believed about 0.4 megalitres (400,000 litres) of wastewater was released onto surrounding land and into Biggera Creek.
Council said water quality testing had shown higher levels than normal of enterococci in the creek and surrounding canals.
"Heavy rainfall may have also contributed to the higher levels," the council statement said.
The city said no recreational swimming areas had been impacted and warned people in the area to be "alert but not alarmed".
Further testing would be conducted within the next 24 hours, council said, and would continue "until the water quality improves".
Residents have also been advised via letterbox drops and doorknocking.
The spokesperson earlier said people should not eat crabs and fish from the area, including nearby canals, for 72 hours.
"We apologise for the inconvenience as we undertake repairs," the spokesperson said.
Runaway Bay resident Sam Kumm spotted the signs on Wednesday morning but said many other people were unaware.
"Just past the signs were people with their kids swimming, people in the water with their dogs,"she said.
She said it was "frustrating" at the time that there were no details behind the warnings.
"It lacks transparency," she said.
"It just is worrying because we can find [the signs] maybe a bit more easily, but having visitors here looking at the beautiful water thinking they can jump in and them not knowing what's going on."