Wastewater spill at Hawai Street

UPDATE 9am 23 January 2018:

Today's results are back and they are below the public health guidelines. The temporary health warning has been lifted and signage will be removed today.

UPDATE 11.30am 19 January 2018:

The latest water sampling results indicate signage will need to stay in the affected area as bacteria levels are still above the public health guidelines. More sampling was taken today and results are expected tomorrow.

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UPDATE 10am 18 January 2018:

Yesterday's water sampling results show there is still elevated bacteria counts around the outlet. Signage will stay in place in the affected area. More sampling will be taken today with results available tomorrow.

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UPDATE 10am 17 January 2018:

Yesterday's water sampling results are in from the wastewater spill at Two Mile Bay and unfortunately there is still elevated bacteria counts in the vicinity of the outlet. However, they are dropping. Signage will remain in place today. More sampling will be taken today with results expected tomorrow.

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UPDATE 10.30am 16 January 2018:

Water sampling results indicate signage will need to remain in the affected area as bacteria levels are still above the public health guidelines. More sampling was taken today and results are expected tomorrow.

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15 January 2018

A 'fat berg' produced by fat and wipes caused wastewater to escape from a manhole cover last night, resulting in a spill into the lake at the end of Hawai Street. The affected area is immediately around the outlet and does not affect the Two Mile Bay Sailing Centre.

A temporary health warning is in place cautioning people not to swim in the area while water samples are tested. The results of the testing should be known tomorrow.

Operational services group manager Kevin Strongman said contractors were onsite quickly after the alarm was raised at about 9pm, and a sucker truck was used to try and recover as much of the spill as possible where it exited the stormwater outlet.

"When wastewater escapes from a manhole, the resulting spill enters the stormwater system through nearby grates and because of gravity, it ends up in the lake. Clearly we are really disappointed by this situation and find it just as frustrating as the community. We've invested around $100,000 a year on CCTV assessments of the system, and another $50,000 a year in high-pressure water cleaning to try and stop spills from happening.

Our teams are constantly working to monitor the system and improve it, but we really need the public to play their part. Wet wipes and nappy liners should not end up in the wastewater system - they should be disposed of in the rubbish.

15 January 2018

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Andy Taylor Senior Communications Advisor 07 376 0899 027 570 4651