South East Water finds water recycled from sewage was linked to bubbler at St Peter’s College in Cranbourne for more than a year

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Students at a Victorian high school have unknowingly been drinking water recycled from a sewage treatment plant for more than a year.



South East Water said a recycled water supply line was connected to a drinking fountain at St Peter’s College in Cranbourne.



The health department understands the line was connected in December 2013 but how and exactly when that happened is being investigated.



The issue was detected by a maintenance worker on 1 April, who immediately notified South East Water and had the supply cut off.



Health department assessments indicated the risk of illness was low but it may have led to a slightly increased risk of gastroenteritis.



The principal of St Peter’s, Tim Hogan, said the school and the health department were holding a meeting for concerned parents and students on Thursday.



“The calls I have received from parents are about students feeling a little bit anxious,” Hogan said.



The school has not recorded any spike in illness, and records did not show any evidence of a gastroenteritis outbreak.

An assessment of chemicals possibly present in the water found the vast majority were at very low concentrations and unlikely to be harmful, although further assessments are being undertaken on a small number of chemicals.



The water is the highest class of recycled water and is intended for residential gardens and the irrigation of crops.

