Like many local government areas in the state Byron Shire Council has been providing wastewater samples upon request to NSW Health as part of its Sewage Surveillance Program.
The program tests untreated sewage for fragments of the COVID-19 virus at sewage treatment plants across the state.
In the week 16-22 December 2020, the wastewater sample was taken but unfortunately the courier responsible for its collection did not pick it up.
"Council staff put the sample in the freezer and due to the temperature for storage being too cold it was not able to be used," Acting Mayor Michael Lyon said.
"This was an inadvertent error and Council apologises.
"Council has been providing wastewater samples to NSW Health since July and we have continued to provide weekly samples since the error for the week ending on 22 December," Acting Mayor Lyon said.
