Raw sewage flows into bay

The pollution has been tracked to a blocked sewer network which overflowed into a stormwater drain. Photo / NZME.

Raw sewage on central Auckland beaches has outraged residents who walk and swim there.

The pollution has been tracked to a blocked sewer network which overflowed into a stormwater drain.

A Herne Bay resident took a photo of birds foraging for food at Masefield Beach reserve, near the Curran St on-ramp for the harbour bridge and opposite Pt Erin Park.

The resident said it wasn't fish in the water but "raw sewage coming out of a pipe that's been broken for years, then gets washed along the beaches when the tide comes in".

Waitemata Local Board member Rob Thomas said sewage overflows into the harbour were unacceptable.

Watercare Services said the broken pipe was actually a stormwater pipe belonging to Auckland Council.

However, Watercare sent a crew who discovered a blockage in its wastewater network in Sarsfield St.

This was causing wastewater to overflow into the stormwater system at a designed overflow point. The blockage was cleared.

Council central stormwater operations manager Phillip Johansen said the deteriorating pipe that extended into the harbour would be removed.