A wastewater overflow is when wastewater flows out from the pipes or manholes from where it is usually contained into a stream, river or the sea. This is not normal and preventing this from occurring is a high priority for the Council.

Wastewater overflow details are listed below. Information will be updated as soon as possible, and once discharge has ceased.

Pollution may take up to two days to completely clear after the discharge has ceased. 

2019 overflows

Discharge began Discharge ceased Overflow location Waterway affected Cause
16/9/2019 12noon 16/9/2019 16:00 35 Northcote Road Lydia Drain (Styx Catchment) Blocked Sewer
10/8/2019 18.35 10/8/2019 21.30 Lyttelton Wastewater Treatment Plant Lyttelton Harbour High rainfall
6/8/2019 10.28 6/8/2019 11.24 Governors Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant Lyttelton Harbour Back-up power failure during a planned power outage
2/8/2019 11.00 2/8/2019 1pm 49 Ranui Crescent, Diamond Harbour Lyttelton Harbour Blocked sewer
23/7/2019 11.45am 23/7/2019 7pm PS615/1 Akaroa Fire Station Akaroa Harbour To allow repair of burst pressure sewer
23/7/2019 9.30am 23/7/2019 11.30am 85 Beach Road Akaroa Harbour Burst pressure sewer
21/7/2019 2.30pm 22/7/2019 7am 84 Rue Lavaud Akaroa Harbour Blocked overpumping
20/7/2019 11.35pm 21/7/2019 Midnight PS20/2 Waltham Heathcote River High rainfall and air lock in pumps
20/7/2019 10.25pm 21/7/2019 12.30am PS20/3 Tennyson Heathcote River High rainfall and air lock in pumps
13/6/2019 7am 13/6/2019 1.30pm 897 Governors Bay Road, Governors Bay Lyttelton Harbour Blocked sewer
1/6/2019 11.45am 1/6/2019 2.20pm Mackenzie Ave, PS18/1 Heathcote River High rainfall
1/6/2019 10.25am 1/6/2019 3.30pm Halswell Road, PS60/1 Heathcote River High rainfall
1/6/2019 1/6/2019 Top 10 Holiday Park, Cranford Street Styx River (via Horners Drain) High rainfall
1/6/2019 Midday 1/6/2019 3pm Fairview Street (PS43) Heathcote River High rainfall
1/6/2019 11am 1/6/2019 3.30pm Grassmere (Off the end of Paparoa St) Avon River High rainfall
1/6/2019 10.25am 1/6/2019 3.50pm Fisher Ave (Eastern Terrace Cnr) PS20/4 Heathcote River High rainfall
1/6/2019 10.15am 1/6/2019 2.15pm Waltham Road Bridge (PS20/2) Heathcote River High rainfall
1/6/2019 9.30am 2/6/2019 4.20pm Tennyson St (Eastern Terrace Cnr) PS20/3 Heathcote River High rainfall
1/6/2019 9am  2/6/2019 7.30am Diamond Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant Lyttelton Harbour High rainfall
1/6/2019 1.15am 1/6/2019 8.45 am Akaroa Fire Station Akaroa Harbour High rainfall
1/6/2019 1.26am  1/6/2019 12.53pm Lyttelton Wastewater Treatment Plant Lyttelton Harbour High rainfall
4/5/2019 12.55pm 4/5/2019 5pm 2 Sandy Bay Road, Governors Bay Lyttelton Harbour Valve failure
29/4/2019 3.30pm  29/4/2019 6pm Diamond Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant Lyttelton Harbour High rainfall
29/4/2019 3.24pm  29/4/2019 5.09pm Lyttelton Wastewater Treatment Plant Lyttelton Harbour High rainfall
13/2/2019 2pm 13/2/2019 4.30pm Diamond Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant Lyttelton Harbour  
2/2/2019 7am 2/2/2019 10am 1 Main Road, Governors Bay Lyttelton Harbour Related to the blockage on 31 Jan
31/1/2019 8am  31/1/2019 4pm 1 Main Road, Governors Bay Lyttelton Harbour Blocked sewer
7/1/2019 8.23pm 7/1/2019 9.30pm Cnr. Ferniehurst Street and Ashgrove Tce Heathcote River Blocked sewer

Ongoing issues under investigation

Overflow location Waterway affected Possible cause
Lyttelton Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Lyttelton Harbour

Intermittent overloading of the reticulation during rainfall. Possible cause is cross-connection between stormwater and wastewater. A project is ongoing to reduce inflow and infiltration in the Lyttelton reticulation.

Note: All overflow incidents will be recorded in the table above.

Past overflows

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012