Source: Radio New Zealand
Wellington Harbour is off limits for swimmers with strong southerlies, rain and rough seas forecast to ease heading into Wednesday. Supplied
Wellington Water crews are responding to a wastewater leak on Marine Drive in Eastbourne.
The leak is from the main outfall pipe, which transports fully treated wastewater over 18km from Seaview to Pencarrow.
Because of the leak’s location, it’s likely that fully treated wastewater is entering the stormwater system and may be coming into contact with the coastline around 735 Marine Drive.
Wellington Water said the risk to public health remains low.
At this stage, Wellington Water estimates the repair will be completed by early next week.
It’s not the first wastewater leak in Wellington this year. On 4 February, Moa Point treatment plant failed catastrophically, sending about 70 million litres of untreated sewage to the sea daily.
It prompted Wellington Water chair Nick Leggett to resign on 15 February, saying stepping aside would allow Wellington Water to focus on fixing the problems and restoring public trust.
An independent government review would examine the causes of the plant’s failure.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
