An overflow in Waitara caused by a damaged wastewater main pipe resulted in a sewage discharge from the Richmond Pump station to the Waitara River on Friday (25 July).
The discharge started at an unknown time and stopped at 8am today. We’re sorry this occurred and we’ve been in touch with iwi and hapū, Taranaki Regional Council, the Taranaki District Health Board and other recreational users.
Technicians and maintenance contractors are working to get the wastewater main pipe repaired.
Warning signs have gone up advising people not to swim or gather kai (for 28 days) in affected areas.
Keep up with the latest information on the Can I Swim page on our website. We are investing $248m over 10 years to fix the district’s plumbing.
Page last updated: 11:23am Fri 25 July 2025