“When it’s raining, wastewater volumes are higher than usual, and some wastewater may bypass the full treatment, resulting in a discharge of partially treated wastewater via the long outfall pipe, 1.8km offshore. Any discharges in this location will be heavily diluted because of significant tidal flows,” it said.
People should stay out of the water on Wellington’s south coast for at least 48 hours after rainfall. And Land Air and Water Aotearoa urged ongoing caution in the area - “because of potential discharges of partially treated wastewater on rainy days, we advise people take extra care if recreating [swimming] in this area after rainfall”.
It would continue to monitor the water quality in the area after rainfall and water discharges.
Wastewater had also been discharged into Wellington Harbour from the Waiwhetū Stream in Lower Hutt after heavy rain, Wellington Water said. It was fully treated but could be smelly.
Boxing Day Enterococci bacteria results for all Lower Hutt swimming spots, including popular spots Petone and Eastbourne, showed the area was unsuitable for swimming, Land Air and Water said.
For Wellington’s south coast and the Lower Hutt beaches, the waste could create cloudy or murky water, it said.
– RNZ
