Martin Mould, Waters Manager for Waikato District Council has advised the following:
Saturday, 26 March 2016 8:20 a.m.
Subject: Raglan Marine Parade Wastewater overflow
A temporary solution is now in place, and it is being run manually while a repair is undertaken today. Staff and contractors worked through the night to limit as much as possible any further wastewater entering the harbour. Please remind your contacts that we advise against swimming and collection of shellfish until further notice. A full report will be prepared for the regional council and circulated once approved.
Martin Mould, Waters Manager for Waikato District Council has advised the following:
“We have a major issue at the Marine Parade Pump station tonight Friday 25th March at approximately 8.00 pm. The main inlet pipe to the pump station has collapsed and as a result untreated wastewater has entered the Harbour. Staff and contractors are on site and work will continue as required. I will provide an update in the morning at the moment duration and quantities are unknown. Signs will be installed overnight advising against swimming and shellfish collection.“
The Marine Parade Pump station is the one where a council contractor has been undertaking work to install a holding tank. There is no mention whether the inlet pipe collapse is related to the project work.
A poll held by Raglan 23 in late 2015 on the way Waikato District Council manages Raglan’s wastewater system found that 80% of the people completing the survey said, “Needs to be improved a lot”. 98 people took part in the poll. In market research speak, 80% is many times the statistical error, so it is highly likely that most people in Raglan hold the view that “WDC needs to improve a lot the way it manages the wastewater system”.
When asked about the poll results, Mr Tim Harty said, “We anticipate satisfaction levels with Raglan’s wastewater services will continue to improve.”