Swanky suburbs in a stink

Something is rotten in the streets of Auckland's swankiest suburbs.

A mystery stink is putting off diners on Ponsonby's cafe mile, a developer has clogged sewer pipes in posh Parnell, and in Grey Lynn sewage overflows have been offending residents for years.

And sorting out the city's sewer woes will come with a price tag of $600 million.

Fernanda Penido, from Ponsonby's Cafe Cezanne, said the stench "smells like something died. In the morning it's really strong and I've had some complaints about it. People say, 'that's disgusting, how can we eat here'?"

In Parnell, temporary sewer pumps have been operating since November after wastewater pipes were accidently filled with concrete. Locals will have at least another four to six weeks of noise and smells while the concrete is drilled out of the pipes.

Metrowater's Linda Danen said that fix is estimated to cost between $500,000 and $1 million. The developer's liability was "being worked through".

Grey Lynn residents have complained for decades about the stench from sewage overflows in Cox's Bay, caused by combined stormwater and sewer pipes becoming overloaded.

Richard Anderson closes his windows to keep out the smell on warm days. "It's not pleasant," he said. "A couple of weeks ago the smell lasted for about five days."

The creek has been getting up the noses of locals for years, said Auckland City councillor Graeme Easte. "It's particularly stinky in summer, and if there's been overflows because of a heavy downpour it gets interesting."

Auckland City Council isn't sure what is causing Ponsonby's stench, as specific complaints need to be investigated.

At Cox's Bay, the first stage of a $1.3 million dredging programme was carried out last year to improve tidal flow, which flushes away waste, said water and landfill operations manager Grant Ockleston. The remaining work, which has been deferred for two years, won't solve the problem but will reduce the foul effects.

The long-term solution will cost $600 million. A huge underground pipe will be built within the next 15 years, taking wastewater from central Auckland directly to the Mangere treatment plant.

At present, wastewater from Waitakere and Auckland cities flows around a main trunk pipe through the western bays and the central city, across Hobson Bay - where a new undergound pipe is being laid - and through the eastern suburbs before heading to Mangere.

When heavy rainfall overloads the ageing network, controlled spills occur at some 200 overflow points and some popular swimming beaches.

Metrowater said ongoing work to separate the pipes, including a $50m project in Kingsland and Eden Terrace, was helping to prevent overflows.

The new pipe, dubbed the Central Interceptor, will provide much-needed capacity for waste and stormwater. It's expected to cost more than $622m and be commissioned in 2025.

Easte said that was little relief for residents waiting for fresh air.

CLEAN-UPS
January 2009: Authorities remove tonnes of smelly sea lettuce washed up on Mt Maunganui's surf beach after locals complained about a sulphur-like smell.

January 2009: A $9 million upgrade at Nelson's sewage treatment ponds failed to satisfy locals.

December 2008: Morrinsville neighbours took a mushroom farm to the Environment Court over the foul smell from its composting site.

March 2008: The pong from a Pukekohe poultry farm became so offensive nearby school children were sent home. The farmer was fined $17,500.

January 2008: Affco's Horotiu meatworks asked to beef up measures to control odours.

Sources: Herald archives