November 3, 2009: Officers from the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water are in Eden today investigating how the town’s sewage treatment plant came to be compromised.

Bega Valley Shire Council’s manager of water and sewerage services, Mr Jim Collins, said that the treatment plant had suffered a loss of biomass resulting in reduced effluent quality.

"Significant sampling and analysis of effluent and beach waters has been carried out over several days and confirm that while the treatment process has been partially compromised, the ocean waters remain clear of pollution at this stage," he said. 

"Because of the large volume of effluent involved, signage recommending against swimming, surfing, fishing or collecting shell fish in the vicinity of the southern end of Aslings Beach and Ross’s Bay, Eden, is still in place and it is expected to remain so for much of this week.

"Meanwhile, sampling and analysis are continuing and Council officers continue to liaise with other regulators and aquaculture farmers," Mr Collins said.