For over three weeks since the discovery of a tomo (sinkhole) the size of a tennis court appeared in a carpark in Parnell, Watercare has been working 24/7 to try and stop the wastewater overflow spilling into the Waitematā.
As a Level 3 situation, this is as serious as it gets for Watercare.
In a nutshell, a sinkhole formed above the Ōrākei Main Sewer which is a major artery of Auckland’s wastewater network servicing parts of Central and West Auckland. The sewer pipe became blocked when the land above it caved in. As the sewage could not pass through the pipe, it backed up causing millions of litres of wastewater overflow (or effluent) to spill into the harbour.
Watercare immediately began work on a bypass solution directing the sewage from the manhole before the blockage to the manhole after the blockage. I cannot understate the complexity of the engineering solution. Under normal circumstances a solution of this nature would usually take weeks/months to plan and even longer to deliver. Watercare delivered it in 20 days. The bypass pump station is as big as some of our permanent pump stations and consists of around 400m of pipe and six large pumps being put underground to direct sewage away from the broken section.
The good news is the temporary measure is now operating and we have no more dry weather overflows. However, it will still take some time for our much-loved Waitematā harbour to be ‘clean’ enough for fishing, shellfish gathering and recreational activities.
A constant concern throughout this process has been the environmental impact and water quality. Widespread sampling has been happening since the first week of overflows. Bags of oysters which are good filter feeders, have also been placed at a variety of locations. The oysters are tested every fortnight for bacteria and heavy metals. Depending on the level of contamination and physical conditions – tides, winds, currents, sunlight – water quality at some beaches may return to normal faster and some beaches may take longer. Water quality is being monitored daily and the Safeswim website is the best place to see real time information.
Until this issue is resolved, I have some key messages:
1. Temporary pipes are not as strong as permanent pipes. Please only put the 3 P’s down your toilet. Pee, poo and (toilet) paper.
2. Please DO NOT fish or gather shellfish in the inner harbour until public health advises it is safe (you can check this on the Auckland Regional Public Health service website –
www.arphs.health.nz/news/sewage-in-the-waitemata-harbour-public-health-advice
3. There may be some remaining waste in the pipes, so if you see wastewater debris (wet wipes, women’s sanitary products, etc) washed up on the beach – please DO NOT pick it up as it will be contaminated. Please report it on the Watercare website.
4. Check the Safeswim website (safeswim.org.nz) before you swim and if your beach has a black flag please DO NOT go in the water.
5. If you have been in the water and you have sickness symptoms, please call Healthline on T: 0800 611 116.
Finally, my thanks to Watercare for its prompt action and the businesses and residents of Parnell and surrounding areas, who have been impacted and inconvenienced, for their understanding. (DESLEY SIMPSON)
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Published: November 2023