Potentially lethal raw sewage has been found in water at Boaz Island, has learned.

Now swimmers and boaters have been banned from the area.

Chief Environmental Health Officer Estlyn Harvey said swimmers should not even "dip a toe" into the water at Chamber and Boaz Bay near Woody's drive.

The sewage tank is thought to have overflowed from a tank due to a malfunction in the pumps at the Boaz Island condominium complex. It is not sure exactly how much sewage has made its way into the water, but Mrs. Harvey said area residents would be able to smell it although it may not be visible to the eye. The untreated sewage has been floating in shoreline areas.

Government quango West End Development Corporation is licensed to operate the treatment plant for the 94 units.

"This is sewage which has not even been to the treatment plant and has come out of the holding tank which has overflowed before being pumped into the treatment facility," said Mrs. Harvey, adding that danger signs have been posted by the Department of Health.

"If you drop anything in the water, especially items which will be put to the mouth ? leave it," she said.

Mrs. Harvey said the sewage will not pose risks to other homes or beaches in the Somerset area.

Raw sewage ? which contains ecoli bacteria and coliform bacteria ? poses safety hazards since it can infect open wounds and carry disease.

Residents of Boaz Island and the general public are warned to stay out of the water until the Department of Health issues a notice that the water has been cleaned up and is safe.

West End Development Corporation Facilities manager Andrew Dias told the overflow is being dealt with immediately and the new pumps needed to prevent any overflow in the tanks are on their way to the Island.

He said the temporary pumps malfunctioned but new ones will be installed as soon as possible.