Is your wastewater tested for COVID-19?

Usually, when we flush the toilet or let the plug out we don’t think much more about our wastewater, where it goes or what happens to it. However, COVID-19 and the NSW Government’s Sewage surveillance program has changed all that.

In 2020, NSW Health established the COVID-19 Sewage Surveillance Program. The program was set up to test untreated sewage for fragments of the COVID-19 (SARSCoV- 2). Testing sewage can help track infections in the community and provide early warning of an increase in infections. These tests provide data to support NSW Health’s response to COVID-19.

HOW IT WORKS

At the request of NSW Health, Ballina Shire Council provides untreated wastewater sewage samples from the Ballina, Lennox Head, Alstonville, and Wardell wastewater treatment plants. NSW Health tests these samples for COVID-19 and publishes the results on their program website. Council is providing samples twice a week from our Ballina treatment plant and once a week from the Lennox Head, Alstonville and Wardell plants. The frequency and location of these samples can change depending on NSW Health’s areas of concern.

WANT TO SEE RECENT REPORTS?

Results are regularly updated and available to the public on NSW Health's Covid-19 page. NSW Health is responsible for publishing testing results and their website has an interactive map showing recent COVID-19 sewage detection along with recent reports. To check it out visit health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/ sewage-surveillance.aspx

WHERE DOES YOUR WASTEWATER GO?

Ballina Shire Council operates several wastewater treatment plants to treat our community’s wastewater. These include:

- Ballina Wastewater Treatment Plant (services Ballina Island, North Ballina and West Ballina)

- Lennox Head Wastewater Treatment Plant (services East Ballina, Skennars Head and Lennox Head)Alstonville Wastewater Treatment Plant (services Alstonville and Wollongbar)

- Wardell Wastewater Treatment Plant (services Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island)

FAQS

Are COVID fragments linked to an infected COVID case?

An infected person can shed virus in their faeces even if they do not have any symptoms, and shedding can continue for several weeks after they are no longer infectious.

What if I have a septic tank?

If your property has a septic tank then your wastewater is treated on site and will not be included in the current surveillance program.

How many cases does there need to be to show up in the testing?

NSW Health is currently undertaking research to find out how many people shedding in a catchment area will cause a positive sewage result. See their website for more information about this research.

Why doesn’t NSW Health test my area's wastewater?

NSW Health determines the locations and frequency for testing. This depends on a range of factors, including the current risk in the community.