Brief description

Liquid Effluent discharged to Sydney Water Sewer from Lucas Heights Science & Technology Centre (LHSTC) contains low levels of radionuclides. 5% of the annual volume of liquid effluent contained low-level wastewater from laboratories where radioactive materials were routinely handled. Testing and treatment was conducted as required by the Trade Wastewater Agreement with Sydney Water. Treated sewage effluent from the Sutherland Shire, including the low-level effluent from the LHSTC, passes through the Cronulla Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and is discharged into the sea at the Potter Point ocean outfall. ANSTO also manufactures radiopharmaceuticals at the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC) located in Camperdown, Sydney. A system of delayed liquid effluent releases allows radionuclides produced by NMC to decay significantly prior to discharge to the sewer.

Access Rights

This collection of data is released as-is. Where data is publicly accessible, data will no longer be subject to embargo and can be used freely provided attribution for the source is given. It is encouraged that persons interested in using the data contact the parties listed for this record to obtain guidance and context in applying this data set and to stay informed about upcoming revisions and related releases of interest.

Data time period: 31 12 1998 to 30 12 2007