Raglan Harbour outfall pipe failure: Treated wastewater erodes sand dunes

An outfall pipe carrying treated wastewater has failed at Raglan Harbour.

Waikato District Council said it was “unclear exactly when the failure occurred”.

“The last known discharge was during the outgoing tide last night,” a council press release said.

The treated discharge has eroded the surrounding sand dune back to the point where the remaining pipe is exposed.

“All discharge flows have now been paused while the repair is undertaken.”

The council said repairs were expected to be completed by the end of today.

The council was notified of the pipe failure by a member of the public at 7.40am.

“Watercare responded promptly and identified the failure at a bend in the pipe.

“As seen in photographs, the treated discharge has eroded the surrounding sand dune back to the point where the remaining pipe is exposed.”

The council said Watercare has arranged for a contractor to excavate the site and complete the necessary repairs.

The council said Watercare has arranged for a contractor to excavate the site and complete the necessary repairs.

“The area is being fenced off to restrict public access during this work.

“No further treated effluent will be discharged until the repair is complete and the tide is again on the outgoing cycle.”

The council has notified Waikato Regional Council, mana whenua and the local community about the pipe failure.

“We will provide updates as needed and once the repair is fully completed. Until then, we ask the public to avoid the area.”

A Waikato Regional Council spokesperson told the Herald an off-duty regional council staff member identified and reported the faulty pipeline.

The spokesperson said the discharge had stopped at 11pm last night.

“There is no known risk to water quality as a result of this incident.”

A Waikato Regional Council spokesperson told the Herald an off-duty regional council staff member identified and reported the faulty pipeline.

Raglan Wastewater Treatment Plant’s discharge consent expired in February 2020. It is operating legally under the expired consent conditions.

A short-term consent has been applied for to allow time for the council to investigate options for a longer-term, environmentally-friendly solution that will meet the needs of the growing Raglan community.

The news comes after Waikato District Council presented “the best possible outcome” for Raglan’s wastewater treatment and discharge management in November.

In May 2024, power cuts in Raglan caused an overflow of untreated effluent at several wastewater pump stations.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.