Auckland’s water authority has completed work to bypass sewage around a collapsed and blocked sewer main but says 'there will still be overflows' into the harbour when it rains. Video / NZ Herald
Beaches in Auckland are beginning to reopen as a rāhui placed over the Waitematā Harbour a month ago because of a wastewater overflow starts to lift.
Deputy Mayor and Ōrākei Ward Councillor Desley Simpson described the sinkhole as “the size of a tennis court” at the time, saying the damage was the result of severe weather and lots of rain.
Today, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust chairwoman Marama Royal announced it has lifted the rāhui across the Waitematā Harbour, but it remains in place at Ōkahu Bay, Te Tinana/ Wilsons Beach, Judges Bay, St Marys Bay, and Masefield Beach reserve at Curran St.
A map of the area where a rāhui remains in place.
According to safeswim.org.nz, 14 beaches across Auckland are still unsafe to swim at. They are:
Chapman Strand
Herne Bay
Home Bay
Judges Bay
Masefield Beach
Milford
Okahu Bay
Pt Chevalier
Sentinel Rd Beach
St Marys Bay
Taipari Strand
Te Atatu Beach
Te Tinana
Wairau Outlet
Auckland Council said Aucklanders should continue to check the Safeswim website for the most up-to-date information and to make decisions on where it is safe to swim.
“Following rainfall, swimming water conditions can change quickly,” a spokesperson said.
14 beaches across Auckland are still unsafe to swim at. Photo / safeswim.org.nz
Royal said the main purpose of a rāhui was protection and it was important to consider the entire Waitematā Harbour.
“As tangata whenua of central Auckland and upper Waitematā, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have a duty as kaitiaki to look after the mauri, or life force, of the Waitematā as well as to keep our communities safe. We will continue to keep the rāhui under review – the health of the Waitematā and of all who enjoy using it are paramount to our iwi,” Royal said.
Deputy Mayor and Ōrākei Ward Councillor Desley Simpson thanked the community for their understanding and support as Watercare fixed the wastewater discharges into the harbour.
“This was a distressing situation with major impacts on recreational users of our Waitematā beaches and waterways, as well as wider impacts for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Simpson described the sinkhole as “the size of a tennis court” at the time. Photo / Watercare
“I know there have been economic impacts for organisations which run water-based events and activities. I really want to thank Watercare for their efforts to start to fix the Ōrākei Main Sewer, knowing that public health and safety is paramount,” Simpson said.
Watercare’s chief operations officer Mark Bourne said there had been “a monumental effort from our staff, contractors and suppliers to get the bypass planned, the pipes laid, the pump station excavated and concreted, and have six large temporary pumps installed and tested”.
Watercare completed a bypass around the blocked sewer main on Tuesday last week. Photo / Watercare
The temporary pump station installed to divert wastewater can handle 600 litres a second, which should be enough, “sufficient to handle normal flows during dry weather”, Bourne said.
However, he added: “These temporary pumps are more susceptible to blockages than our standard network pumps, so it will be more important than ever for people to only flush the 3Ps - pee, poo and toilet paper. Please don’t flush wet wipes or any other rubbish.