Key Takeaways
- Wellington’s swimming spots have been marked as unsuitable for swimming due to pollution from wastewater discharges
- Warning signs have been put up along parts of Wellington’s south coast after the discharge of untreated wastewater
- The Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant is undergoing an upgrade, resulting in a discharge of partially-treated wastewater
- The upgrade is expected to take until May next year, leaving the plant at reduced capacity
- People are advised to stay out of the water on Wellington’s south coast for at least 48 hours after rainfall
Introduction to Wellington’s Water Pollution
Wellington’s Lyall Bay, and the surrounding bays are popular water recreation spots. However, all Wellington swimming spots have been marked with red ‘unsuitable for swimming’ labels, and warnings have been issued about pollution from two wastewater discharges. This has raised concerns among locals and visitors who enjoy swimming, surfing, and diving in the area. The discharge of untreated wastewater has led to the installation of warning signs along parts of Wellington’s south coast, advising people to stay out of the water.
The Cause of the Pollution
The pollution is a result of the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant undergoing an upgrade to its ultraviolet water disinfection system. This upgrade is expected to take until May next year, leaving the plant at reduced capacity. During this time, the plant may not be able to fully treat the wastewater, resulting in a discharge of partially-treated wastewater about 2km off the coast of Lyall Bay. The area is popular with surfers, divers, and swimmers, and the discharge of partially-treated wastewater poses a risk to their health. According to Land Air and Water Aotearoa, when it’s raining, wastewater volumes are higher than usual, and some wastewater may bypass the full treatment, resulting in a discharge of partially treated wastewater via the long outfall pipe, 1.8km offshore.
The Impact on Swimming Spots
The discharge of partially-treated wastewater has led to all Lower Hutt swimming spots, including popular spots Petone and Eastbourne, being marked as unsuitable for swimming. The Enterococci bacteria results for these areas showed that the water was not safe for swimming. The waste could create cloudy or murky water, making it difficult for people to swim and enjoy the area. The pollution has also affected the Wellington Harbour, where wastewater was discharged into the harbour from the Waiwhetu Stream in Lower Hutt after heavy rain. While the wastewater was fully treated, it could still be smelly and pose a risk to people’s health.
Advice to the Public
People are advised to stay out of the water on Wellington’s south coast for at least 48 hours after rainfall. This is to allow for the wastewater to be fully treated and to minimize the risk of infection. Additionally, people are urged to take extra care when recreating in the area after rainfall, as there may be potential discharges of partially treated wastewater. The public can check the water quality in the area by visiting the Land Air and Water’s Is it safe to Swim map. This map provides up-to-date information on the water quality at different swimming spots, allowing people to make informed decisions about where to swim.
Conclusion and Future Plans
The pollution in Wellington’s swimming spots is a concern for the community, and efforts are being made to address the issue. The upgrade to the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant is expected to be completed by May next year, which should improve the water quality in the area. In the meantime, people are advised to take precautions when swimming in the area and to check the water quality before entering the water. The installation of warning signs and the provision of up-to-date information on water quality are important steps in minimizing the risk of infection and ensuring that people can enjoy the water safely. By taking these precautions, people can continue to enjoy Wellington’s beautiful swimming spots while minimizing the risk of pollution.