Dye testing of Tomakin ocean outfall

Eurobodalla Council will use environmentally-friendly dye to test the ocean outfall of the Tomakin Sewage Treatment Plant in the coming weeks.

Council is designing an upgrade of the plant to meet increasing demand from growth in the region.

The testing will be conducted by Manly Hydraulics Laboratory to enable Council to quantify the environmental impacts of proposed increased flows.

Ocean outfall is the pipe from which treated effluent is discharged into the ocean. The testing will involve a harmless, bright red fluorescent dye being released through the outfall that discharges off Long Nose Point.

How long it takes for the dye to disperse between predetermined sampling sites will then be measured.

The testing is planned for later this week but is dependent on favourable ocean conditions.

Council’s Water and Sewer Project Engineer Harvey Lane said the dye was commonly used in hydrologic studies and was safe for the environment. It also has approval from the EPA.

“Due to the location of the outfall, the dye is not expected to reach any swimming beaches, however, if anyone happens to notice a red substance in the ocean, there is no need for alarm,” he said.

Any questions about the testing should be directed to Council on 4474 1000.