Warning after sewage spills into Whangamata water

People are being warned not to swim or collect shellfish at Whangamata Beach after heavy rain caused sewage to spill into the harbour.

Thames-Coromandel District Council operations manager Neil McCann said their systems were unable to cope with 86 millimetres of rain that fell in the area yesterday.

He said the particular problem was 36 millimetres that fell between 5.30pm and 7pm last night.

Manhole lids lifted and sewage spilled into the harbour for around ten minutes.

Mr McCann said contractors were cleaning up affected areas.

- NEWSTALK ZB