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.

Projects / Western Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Pipe Renewal

Western wastewater treatment plant outfall pipe renewal

Overview
Current status
Background

On behalf of Wellington City Council, we are upgrading and realigning the outfall pipe at the treatment plant after it was damaged in a slip. This work will improve the resilience of the pipe .

Start Date
13/03/2023
Contact:

If you have any questions about this work, please contact:

Wellington Water, 04 912 4400

The pipe renewal is now complete.

The outfall pipe at the Western wastewater treatment plant carries fully treated effluent out to Cook Strait.

In February 2022, it was damaged by a slip during a severe wet weather event. The pipe was was repaired, but was damaged again by a further slip during a subsequent wet weather event.

To address this and ensure the resilience of the pipe, work is now underway to stabilise the surrounding area and realign the pipe, including building a pipe bridge to further protect it from the risk of slips and damage from severe weather events.

Until this work is completed fully treated effluent is being discharged into Karori Stream, which is being continually monitored.