29 and 30 December 7pm
Tuesday 30 December at 7.30am
This is to confirm that the last emergency wastewater valve was closed at 7:30am on 30 December and all the discharges have stopped.
The wastewater network flow is still relatively high but will go down over the next couple of days.
We advise no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in the city’s 3 rivers and Waikanae Beach until at least 5 days after the valves are closed and warning signs are removed.
Monday 29 December at 7pm
Due to widespread surface flooding across the city with intense rainfall draining from residential properties into the wastewater network, we released the excess water in the system by opening the emergency sewer valves at Oak Street into the Taruheru River and at Gladstone Road Bridge into the Turanganui River at 7pm.
This is done to prevent sewage from overflowing back into homes and onto roads and causing a significant health risk.
We only open the valve when it’s absolutely necessary and only in the areas with issues.
The discharge is highly diluted with rain water, but still poses a health risk.
We've notified Hauora Tairāwhiti Medical Officer of Health, water user and sports groups.
Temporary warning signs have been installed at swimming and recreation sites.
We advise no swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in the city’s 3 rivers and Waikanae Beach until at least 5 days after the valves are closed and warning signs are removed.
We’ll update this notice when the discharge has stopped.
We don't make the call to discharge to rivers lightly, we do this to prevent sewage from overflowing back into people's homes and properties in the city, and onto roads, causing a significant health risk. Unfortunately this however results in health risks in the rivers, beaches and nearby coastal areas, which is why we advise against swimming, fishing or gathering shellfish in rivers and beaches over this time.
For information on why discharges happen