Update 15th August:
“Due to the nature of last weekend’s overflow, staff are continuing to monitor estuary quality levels and advise the community not to collect seafood or fish in the area until further notice. A media advisory outlining the key findings of the Waikato District Council report into the incident will be distributed on Monday morning (18th August).”
Update 13th August:
“Restrictions are still in place at this point as we’re waiting for sample results, which we expect back tomorrow if not later today.”
Media Release: Waikato District Council, 11 August 2014
Waikato District Council is investigating an overflow from a wastewater reticulation pump station manhole in Raglan over the weekend.
General Manager Service Delivery, Tim Harty says around 9am on Sunday (10 August) Council received a call from a local resident advising of an overflow from a pump station manhole on Wainui Road.
“Council staff responded immediately to address the issue, ceasing the overflow and cleaning up the site.
“Iwi, Waikato Regional Council and the Waikato District Health Officer were notified immediately and as a precaution, signage was also installed at the harbour advising the community not to collect seafood or fish in the area until further notice.
“It is estimated that the overflow occurred for approximately 16 hours however the quantity of wastewater discharged is still being determined. At this stage the cause of the overflow isn’t known and we are working with Regional Council to prepare a detailed report and recommended actions. This will be completed by the end of the week and will be available to the public.”
The pump station is one of 83 pump stations across 260 kms of wastewater reticulation network in the Waikato district. It is currently being upgraded as part of a district wide project to upgrade the wastewater reticulation system. This is in addition to the current SCADA telemetry upgrade project.