Update Sunday 8 January - The emergency valve was closed at 9.35am and the discharge has stopped.
We advise no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in rivers and beaches for at least 5 days or when the temporary warning signs are removed from recreational sites.
Saturday 7 January - That was some intense rain last night with around 40mm in the city.
The city’s wastewater system was flooded by the large volume of rainwater draining from residential properties into the sewer system..
To prevent sewage from overflowing back into homes and onto roads, causing a significant potential health risk on properties, the emergency sewer valve at the Gladstone Road Bridge was opened at approximately 10pm Saturday 7 January into the Tauranganui River.
The discharge is highly diluted with rainwater, but there’s still a risk to health so we advise no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in river or nearby beaches until at least 5 days after the valve is closed and warning signs are removed.
We’ve notified the Hauora Tairāwhiti Medical Officer of Health, water user and sports groups and temporary signs will be in place at recreational sites
We'll update this notice when the discharge has stopped.
We only open the valves when it’s absolutely necessary, here’s more information on DrainWise