Caution as sewage overflow caused by fat

Fat deposits blocking wastewater pipes may have caused sewage to run into the Waikanae Stream on Friday.

Council were called to an odour complaint in Roebuck Road on Friday afternoon.

Contractors located a blockage in a wastewater pipe under Childers Road Reserve.

The blockage had caused pressure to build up and forced wastewater out into a stormwater drain that leads into the stream – which then flows into the Turanganui River.

Once the blockage was removed the discharge into the drain stopped. Sucker trucks removed 35,000 litres of wastewater mixed with stormwater from the drain.

Water utilities manager Neville West says staff weren’t sure if any sewage had made it from the drain into the stream as there wasn't any visible sign of discharge.

As a precaution, Council staff erected signage at river banks and beaches, and have notified water users and the public to avoid contact and food gathering in the water for the following five days.

Water samples taken from the stream have been sent for testing. The drain was inspected Saturday morning and there were no signs of any further discharge.

Fat build up also lead to an overflow of sewage into the Wainui Stream at the beginning of March.

Mr West says cooking fats and rubbish entering in the wastewater system can build up and sit, requiring manual cleaning to suck out 'plugs of fat'.

"We ask people to be careful with what you put down toilets or sinks."

"Don’t tip fat, flush wipes or put solid objects down toilets, sinks, drains or gully traps."

ENDS

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