QLDC investigates "regrettable" sewage spill

Crux asked the QLDC today for extra details of what was desribed as a 5 minute duration sewage overflow on Monday this week.

We understand that council contractors Veolia are working in the area of the spill, the Frankton Track, to fix and upgrade an existing effluent pipe.

One of the wastewater experts that Crux has consulted with estimates that over 50,000 litres of raw sewage could have entered the lake but the QLDC in their statement today estimate that less than 2,000 litres was involved. 

The sewage pipes running along the Frankton Track.

Here's the ful statement from the council We'll publish an update when test results are received.

"A wastewater overflow entered Lake Whakatipu along part of Frankton Arm near Goldfield Heights at around 3.00pm on Monday, 19 May.

"Council contractors working in the area reacted immediately to stop the overflow within two minutes with less than 2,000 litres estimated to have entered the lake.

"Warning signs were installed both up and downstream of where the overflow entered the lake to advise the community that an overflow had occurred and to take precautionary steps if using the lake. Samples were collected for off-site testing at the time and daily since.

"We’re confident results from today, that we expect to receive tomorrow (Thursday), will be within permitted limits.

"Once confirmed, the signage will be removed. An investigation into the cause of the overflow remains ongoing and Council expects to receive a full report before the end of the month.

"At this stage it isn’t appropriate to speculate on the cause but, while all such overflows are regrettable, we can reassure the community that this one was short in duration and limited in volume."