Photo: Tasman District Council
Raw sewage has flowed into the Waimea Estuary in the Tasman District after a pump station equipment failure.
The spill happened overnight after a hose at the Beach Road pump station, near Richmond, failed during bypass pumping ahead of works to connect a new rising main.
Tasman District Council said the spill reached Saltwater Creek, through an overland stormwater flow then washed into the estuary.
The council said it did not know how much wastewater entered the waterway, but it was estimated to be less than 150 cubic metres.
Environmental monitoring is underway, and warning signs are being put in place, but people should avoid contact with the water in the stream and the adjacent tidal area until further notice.
Shellfish should not be taken from the immediate area.
