Untreated, unscreened wastewater has been discharged into Tarakena Bay. Check LAWA.org.nz before visiting beaches.
Untreated, unscreened wastewater has been discharged into Tarakena Bay. Check LAWA.org.nz before visiting beaches.

Between approximately 8 am on 25 June and 7 am on 26 June, the short outfall pipe discharged untreated wastewater into Tarakena Bay.

Signs are in place along the coastline to alert water users of areas which may be impacted by this event. Water quality samples will be collected from coastal locations once improved weather conditions allow. 

Check LAWA.org.nz before visiting beaches along the south coast. 

Public health information can be found on Health NZ's website. 
Wellington Water crews responding to wastewater overflow on State Highway 2
Wellington Water crews responding to wastewater overflow on State Highway 2

Our team is responding to a wastewater overflow on State Highway 2 which has stopped this afternoon. The overflow was from a manhole on the southbound lanes close to the Ngauranga exit, discharging into the habour through the stormwater drains.

While the overflow has stopped, our teams are working to clear a blockage which still remains. They are working at pace to identify the blockage and get this cleared. 

One southbound lane clasure remains in place approaching Ngauranga while work is underway.
In this section
About Us / News And Media / News And Media / Dry Weather Takes Toll On Water Supply

Published 5/02/2016

Dry weather takes toll on water supply

Wellington Water is calling for householders to be water smart as the run of dry weather has led to a dramatic jump in consumption.

Water demand yesterday for Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington hit 168 million litres (ML) – much higher than the same time last week (Thursday 28 January was 138 ML).

“Our river-based water supply means water demand rises at the same time as the supplies begin to dry up” says Alex van Paassen, Wellington Water’s Community Engagement Manager.

“That’s why we have storage lakes – to cover the difference. But once we start emptying those out, the next steps are bans on watering systems.”

The last significant rain was on Monday 18 January and the 14-day regional forecast has no rain in the immediate future.

“We’ve had a pretty dry past couple of months and we still have our driest month ahead of us. If we all use water with care right now, what we’ve got will last longer and we’ll avoid any further restrictions.

Routine “odds & evens” watering restrictions are now in effect with unattended watering (such as sprinklers) only allowed on set days and times, according to your street address. Water patrols are also out and about talking to people who are watering on the wrong day.

Four simple steps to keep your garden healthy and conserve water at the same time:

  • Check that your soil needs watering first (you only need to water if soil is dry 10 cm below the surface)
  • Water only your plants’ roots
  • Time sprinkler sessions to 30 minutes – once a week should be enough
  • Use mulch on garden beds to retain moisture for longer (only apply mulch to well watered soil)

Odds and evens garden watering restrictions

You can only use a single garden sprinkler, irrigation system or unattended hose between 6am-8am and 7pm-9pm on the following days, depending on where you live:

Lower Hutt, Porirua, Wellington

  • Even-numbered street addresses on even days of the month
    • Odd-numbered street addresses on odd days of the month

Upper Hutt

  • Even-numbered street addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays only
    • Odd-numbered street addresses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only

These restrictions apply year-round in Upper Hutt and during Daylight Saving in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington (ends 3 April 2016).

Media Enquiries

Email address:  Media@wellingtonwater.co.nz

Phone number: 021 302 259