In the last 150 years, toilets and vaccines have exceeded all other interventions in saving human lives – estimated at one billion each, with antibiotics at 200 million. Why would we allow untreated waste back into the environment to undo these benefits? Inadequately treated or untreated sewage contains pathogens (bad bugs) that are a major health risk to people. Sewage entering waterways also creates risk for toxic algal blooms which threaten human health. When sewage enters our waterways without adequate treatment, anyone swimming, fishing, or boating risks getting sick. As a GP and Occupational & Environmental Medicine registrar, I support calls for real-time public monitoring of sewage bypass events so Tasmanians can make informed decisions about when it is safe to enter our waterways
Dr Fiona Beer
Health Practitioner – FRACGP-RG, OEM registrar
“Fishers and Walkers Tasmania are in full support of Environment Tasmania’s call for state funding to introduce real-time monitoring of all sewage bypass releases. It’s clear that real-time monitoring will help Tasmanians make informed decisions around health risks when entering waters contaminated by under-treated sewage.”
Greg French
President, Fishers and Walkers Tasmania