4 May 2026: wastewater overflow, Puwhakamua, recovered water project
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Wastewater overflow caused by fatberg
Enquiry
Follow-up questions after last week’s enquiry about the recent sewage overflow from Jameson Ave due to a fatberg (fats and rags) that caused contamination of Puarenga Stream:
I was just wondering if the engineers/workers who were on the job might have took a picture I could use in the story.
Looking to frame as a bit of a public notice story and an image of the scale of these things might be telling.
Do you have a breakdown at all from the past financial year on the amount of issues similar to this you have had (eg, fatberg blockages in council pipes)?
Further additional questions from reporter:
Also, if I could get the day the leak was detected and when the signage was actually erected, that would be great?
Also, just confirming, there was never a high level of E.coli in the water, correct? It just had to be tested due to the potential of contamination?
Response
We provided the following information:
The signage was erected the same day the leak was detected on April 29.
The signage was installed once the potential for contamination was identified.
One of the water samples taken on 29th, indicated 630 E. coli / 100 ml downstream of the overflow, which is above normal/safe levels.
Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and the Ministry of Health (Manatū Hauora) jointly developed New Zealand’srecreational water‑quality guidelines, which include the E. coli alert threshold of 540 cfu/MPN per 100 mL in freshwater (rivers and lakes). Above this limit swimming is not recommended.
Follow-up sampling showed levels downstream returned to normal the following day (30 April).
We have had 48 dry weather overflows over the past 12 months and of those about 50 per cent were caused by fats and rags.
We also provided images showing, examples of fatbergs.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Puwhakamua Environment Court case
Enquiry
I have received a minute [see attached] from the Environment Court judge relating to RLC’s case against the Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust and the Puwhakamua progamme operation on Owhata - case number ENV-2025-AKL-000181.
I just had some follow up questions on this as there is quite a lot to digest.
- What was the reason for RLC agreeing that the Puwhakamua programme did meet the demands of a Papakainga provision?
- What does the apparent dissolution of TACT mean for the next steps in this decision?
- I understand the same location is still being used to house bailees, rather than parolees, without the support of TACT and Corrections, does this decision that the operation still meets Papakainga provisions still stand or would it need to be reassessed?
- The court detailed concerns over the Papakainga suitability, and directed Council to take the next steps in regard to an application, what are the next steps from council?
Response
We provided the following:
The court process is still underway with next steps being considered so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
Regarding question 1 – that’s outlined in the minute, see para 9
