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Wastewater

Wastewater, or sewage, is liquid waste containing dissolved or suspended matter. This includes things like toilet waste, shower water and waterborne waste from manufacturing. This wastewater is discharged into Council's sewer system for treatment.

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Who to contact for wastewater issues

Report a wastewater issue to Council online via the Report a Problem form or call us 24/7 on 07 348 4199.

Report a problem
Contact Council for:
  • Blocked wastewater mains
  • Sewage pump station issues
  • Wastewater treatment plant inquiries
  • Trade waste concerns
  • Wastewater problems in forested areas.

Let us know which of the problems above you've found, and we will get the right team to help.

Contact a plumber for:
  • Wastewater problems within your property, including drainage faults, blockages and sewage overflows.

Request a plumbing reimbursement

If you've already paid for a drainlayer to inspect and the fault is in the public sewer system, you can claim a reimbursement for the costs below.

Download Plumbing Reimbursement Request form - (PDF, 122KB)

Connecting to the wastewater system

Rotorua Lakes Council has a wastewater connections and disconnection process that enables Council to effectively manage the wastewater network. For new connections and disconnections, visit the pages below.

Water connections
Water disconnections

Approved wastewater contractors

Only Council-approved contractors are allowed to make connections to the public sewer reticulation system. This is so Council can control the quality of our systems by maintaining records for all wastewater connections.

Approved Contractors List

Washing cars or equipment

Please do not allow polluted, foamy wastewater to flow into stormwater drains, as this can lead to harmful discharges into streams and lakes.

Proper washing guidelines:

  • Always wash your car or equipment at a designated wash facility that is connected to the council's sewerage system. This ensures that any dirty, foamy, and polluted wastewater is properly treated
  • Alternatively, wash your vehicle on a lawn where the ground can naturally filter the waste. Make sure no wastewater flows into any stormwater drain, as this could carry pollutants into streams or lakes
  • Use as little detergent as possible. Consider using a bucket instead of a hose to reduce water usage and runoff
  • You could also trap wastewater in a pool and hiring a licensed waste disposal contractor to remove it for proper disposal.

Legal reminder: It is illegal to wash any equipment or vehicle in a location where the wastewater may flow, or is likely to flow, into stormwater drains.

Report pollution activity to Rotorua Lakes Council on 07 348 4199.

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