Pollution originates from sewage works at the coast and from fertiliser or pesticides washed into rivers, which then flows down to the sea. The Inman River in Victor Harbor is an example, as the river is primarily a drain for treated effluent from a sewage treatment plant

viral life, originally uploaded by poodly.

This results in the physical alteration and destruction of habitats; excessive inputs of nutrients, causing rapid phytoplankton and algal blooms to grow, starving sea life of oxygen changes in sediment flows and has a negative impact on human health--- ear, nose and throat problems, gastro-enteritis or even hepatitis A. "There are tentative suggestions of a link between sewage and viral encephalitis, and also meningitis.

Though the water from the new water treatment plant is 'A Class' quality, its release into the river is unlikely to impact on the water quality of the Lower Inman. The nutrient rich sediments from the old treatment plant may cause water quality concerns in the Lower Inman for many more years and the Inman Riiver will never again be a pristine river and estuary.

The offensive odours in the Lower Inman, which are most noticeable in warm weather, are caused by a remobilisation of the high nutrient levels in the river bed mud sediments during summer and autumn. The stratification of the water column and low dissolved oxygen levels exacerbate the remobilization processes and lead to potential odour and algal issues.