Sewage overflow closes Point England beach

Point England beach was closed to swimmers yesterday after a sewage overflow from the Glen Innes pump station.

Auckland City Council environmental health manager Chris Dee said it appeared staff at the Watercare Services pump station were changing some old pipes when an accident sent sewage flowing to the beach and into Omaru Creek.

The council put up signs warning people against swimming or taking shellfish after it was told about the spill mid-morning.

Last night, Mr Dee said he understood Watercare Services had fixed the problem but the warning signs would stay up until the council was confident the health risk was over.

Watercare Services said the pump failure was contained as quickly as possible.