Council working with EPA on Byron Bay sewage discharge accident

Published on 14 April 2025

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has been notified about sewage discharge in Byron Bay which happened between 12 February and 19 March 2025.  It is estimated that approximately 929,000 litres of sewage was discharged into the stormwater system during this period.

Council became aware of the problem on 19 March and took corrective action before reporting the incident to the EPA.

Council believes the issue occurred when a contractor working on a sewer upgrade in Byron Bay accidently diverted a sewer bypass into the stormwater system.

Staff immediately began checking the stormwater system in Byron Bay to ascertain the extent of the discharge and extract any sewage from the stormwater pipes in the town centre and at the Cowper Street outlet.

Extensive water testing was done to see if there had been any discharge to the ocean via Clarks Beach or Belongil Creek and all results at the time indicated there was no spill although it is impossible to determine if this was the case for the duration of the discharge.

While water quality testing did not reveal any risks to the public, or impact on the environment, ongoing monitoring will continue while the EPA investigates the incident.

There are ongoing investigations with the contractor to find out how the accident happened and to make sure it does not happen again.

“No one wants to see an incident like this happen and we accept that the community will be very concerned,” Christopher Soulsby, Manager Major Projects, said.

“Our water monitoring so far has not shown any environmental impact, but this does not negate the fact that the incident occurred.

“Council self-reported to the EPA as soon we found out about the discharge, and since then we have been systematically checking our systems, collecting data and providing information to the EPA.

“With those initial investigations complete, we are now in a position to inform the community.

“It is important to note that the discolouration of the water around Byron Bay in recent weeks is not a result of the sewage spill,” Mr Soulsby said.

“Council sincerely apologises for this incident, and we will do everything we can to make sure it does not happen again,” he said.

What happened:

• The problem was discovered by Council on 19 March.
• The town’s stormwater system was systematically checked to determine the extent of the spill.
• Vacuum trucks pumped out 90,000 litres from the stormwater system until it was clean.
• Water testing was done (multiple times) to determine if there was any discharge into the ocean at Clarkes Beach or Belongil Creek.  The results were negative.
• Extensive investigations involving the contractor are ongoing to determine how the accidental diversion to the stormwater system happened.
• The EPA was notified immediately.