Vandalised Sewerage Pipe Leaks into Mangarau Stream

This morning Hastings District Council staff investigated the effects of a sewerage pipe being vandalised overnight.

HDC Reticulation Engineer, Tony Dench says two holes were punched into the pipe which runs across the stream at Anderson Park.

“The pipe is pump fed so there is not a continuous flow of sewage running through it and it doesn’t appear that a large volume of sewerage was pumped into the stream when the pump was operating.

“The water is quite clear and there is little evidence of solid faecal matter near the banks but we are checking further down in the Karamu Stream,” Mr Dench says.

The pipe is currently being repaired.

“It looks like there was a party there last night. There were a number of beer cans around the area,” he says.

Hastings District Council has reported the vandalism to police.

People are advised not to swim or carry out have any contact recreation activities (such as rowing) in the Karamu Stream-Clive River due for health risk reasons

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is taking water samples to assess the extent of the contamination.

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board warns people should avoid any activity in the water including the gathering of any food from the stream and not allow pets to drink from or swim in the stream.

Anyone who has been in contact with the water in the last twelve hours and is feeling unwell, has a skin rash or any other symptom is advised to see their GP.