Tomahawk beach still off limits after wastewater discharge

Only one beach near Dunedin remains a health risk after wastewater discharges were needed to cope with last week’s rain deluge.

“The Tahuna wastewater treatment plant can treat and discharge a large volume of stormwater during periods of heavy rain, as stormwater finds its way into the wastewater network,” a Dunedin City Council spokesperson told Crux.

“The plant is designed to accommodate this, and we did run the Musselburgh pump station at full capacity to pump both stormwater and wastewater to the Tahuna plant during last week’s event.

"We also advised people not to enter Otago Harbour or swim at city beaches in the immediate aftermath of last week’s weather event, due to the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses. Fortunately, the latest test results for all beaches (except Tomahawk) have now come back with ‘satisfactory’ water quality levels, so most restrictions have now been lifted.

"We are continuing to advise people not to enter the water at Tomahawk, and to refrain from entering or collecting food from the Otago Harbour until the end of this week. This is a precautionary and standard measure following a heavy rain and flooding event.”

The Dunedin City Council is also making skips available in key locations around the city to help with the clean-up, they are available at:

South Dunedin, at the intersections of:

• • Surrey/Nicholson Street
  • Richmond/Nicholson Street
  • Kirkcaldy Street/Bayview Road
  • Corunna Street/Hargest Crescent
  • Richardson/Waterloo Street
  • Osmond/Wesley Street

Waikouaiti:

• • Beach/Stewart Street

Tomahawk:

• • Ocean Grove Hall carpark, 307 Tomahawk Road, Tomahawk

Civil Defence Controller Rob West says the skips are intended for flood-contaminated waste only, such as soaked carpets or furniture.

“These skips are not meant for general household rubbish, which will continue to be collected in the normal way on your regular kerbside collection day. Please only use these skips for their intended purpose so there’s space for everyone who needs them.

 “If you live outside of these areas, and have flood-contaminated items to dump, please take your waste to the Green Island transfer station for disposal, and sandbags can be returned to the Dunedin Ice Stadium or Mosgiel Memorial Park gym carpark for disposal.

 “Don’t forget to wear gloves when handling flood-contaminated items and make sure to wash your hands afterwards.”

 Elsewhere, a precautionary boil water notice remains in place for the West Harbour (Ravensbourne, Maia, Roseneath, Sawyers Bay, Port Chalmers, Carey’s Bay and Deborah Bay, and Sawyer’s Bays, but not St Leonards).

 Residents in these areas (including St Leonards) should continue to conserve water. Drinking water tankers are available at various points along the West Harbour, including Roseneath, Sawyers Bay, Port Chalmers and Ravensbourne.

 Level 1 water restrictions remain in place for Outram.

Main image: (File photo) Surrey Street flooding last Saturday, a skip bin is now located there to help with the community clean-up.