Blocked main causes sewage spill in Island Bay as heavy rain overwhelms drainage system
Image: CNA
Homes in New Zealand’s capital Wellington were flooded with wastewater, faeces, and sanitary products after an overnight storm caused major sewer overflows, authorities said on Friday.
Local utility company Wellington Water said the incident in the Island Bay suburb was caused by a blocked wastewater main, worsened by intense rainfall.
Five properties were directly affected, with crews deployed to clean and disinfect homes. A suction truck was also brought in to remove contaminated material from the area.
Residents described the scene as “disgusting,” with reports of raw sewage, debris, and contaminated water spreading through homes and streets.
The storm brought more than 5,000 lightning strikes and over 25mm of rain in just two hours, according to New Zealand’s MetService.
The situation also added pressure to the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant, which has been partially malfunctioning since a major storm in February. The facility has been discharging untreated wastewater into coastal waters for months and is not expected to be fully restored until November.
Authorities warned residents to avoid swimming or water activities along Wellington’s south coast, including Tarakena Bay, due to ongoing contamination risks.
The incident highlights ongoing infrastructure strain as extreme weather events continue to challenge the city’s wastewater and drainage systems.
