29 June 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Linton Park sewer manhole overflow
Enquiry
One of our reporters noticed [a sign] on a footbridge at the Mangakakahi Stream in Linton Park West [Temporary health warning, warning people not to swim in the area due to recent water pollution from the wastewater network].
Are we able to get a wee bit of information regarding this wastewater leak please?
Including:
What caused the water pollution from the wastewater network?
Has the problem been fixed and if so how?
Are there any other water ways around Rotorua where this warning is in place and if so where?
How long are the health warnings likely to be in place?
Response
From Council’sDCE Infrastructure & Environment and Primary CDEM Controller, Stavros Michael.
This health warning notice relates to a sewer manhole that overflowed in Linton Park near Goldie Street last Friday (25 June 2021). Once reported, Council’s maintenance contractor attended immediately and found the overflow was due to a sewer main blockage caused by a piece of concrete in the line.
The blockage was cleared and the overflow ceased, but some of the overflow had entered the Mangakakahi Stream. The area around the overflow was cleaned and disinfected, and stakeholders including the Regional Council, Toi Te Ora Public Health and Iwi groups were notified (as per the regional response protocol for overflows to waterways). Health warning notices were also placed in public areas downstream to warn of potential water contamination.
Daily water sampling has been conducted to check water quality downstream. Usually this sampling would be ongoing for several days, and then signage would be removed when levels of bacteria were shown to be within the recommended levels for swimming. However, due to the heavy rain over the weekend the signs have remained in place as the BOP Regional Council has a standing advisory that swimming in streams and rivers should be avoided for 48 hours after heavy rain. The health warning notices are likely to be removed this afternoon or tomorrow.
There are no other specific warnings on particular waterways, but the Regional Council’s standard warning following heavy rain does apply to all rivers and streams