Many beaches on Wellington's south coast are now safe to swim in again, Wellington Water has announced.
People could now go on the beaches and swim near the shore in the area from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay, the water services provider said.
The public was told to continue to avoid Tarakena Bay, which remained a no-go area due to its proximity to the short outfall pipe.
Earlier this month, raw sewage was discharged close to shore at Moa Point Treatment Plant on Wellington's south coast after the facility failed during bad weather.
It prompted the city to place a "unsuitable for swimming" label across the beaches of its southern coast, which has impacted hospitality and other water-dependent businesses in the area.
Wellington Water chief operating officer Charles Barker said today's update was a "significant step" in response to the ongoing discharge of untreated water from the plant, which began on February 4.
The mayor described the water as “refreshing and bracing” as he urged others to go for a dip. (Source: 1News)
Relevant agencies made this decision after daily water sampling along 23 sites on the south coast, Barker said.
Sampling had been carried out in a variety of weather conditions, and during times that both the long and short outfall have been used.
“Unsurprisingly, we saw a spike during the period around heavy rainfall and during the discharge of untreated wastewater from the short outfall, but overall, these results have been within the acceptable bacterial levels for safe swimming near the shore.
“This means we have a good picture of what’s happening and can now confidently revise the public health advice, and people can now visit and swim at most beaches along the south coast."
'People can make their own informed decisions'
Mayor Andrew Little said the city would also return to updating residents on where it is safe to swim via the Land Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website.
Little acknowledged the "significant disruption" and said "it's great to now be in the position to give clarity".
"The water testing across 23 sites over the past three weeks has built up a picture of the risks associated with being on the beach and entering the water. That testing includes different weather conditions and sea conditions, tides and the variables that help establish a picture of a level of risk."
Information will be available on website from midday, he said.
"What this means is people can make their own informed decisions about returning to the beaches.
"We have to be realistic and practical about what we’re asking people to do. Conditions can change rapidly. There are areas where the risk remains higher, such as near the short outfall pipe at Tarakena Bay."
Little said when the facts on the ground change, the website will be updated.
"My message is to check the LAWA website before swimming, and I encourage everyone to follow the advice on it."
Little added he wanted to make clear a risk still remains, however monitoring results showed so far the risk is low, and people can now decide on how they respond to the current information.
"I want to thank Wellingtonians and local businesses for their patience and understanding. Our city has rallied behind the workers who’ve been tireless in cleaning out the Moa Pt plant and walking the coast to keep people informed. "
Caution still advised
Although the public could return to most beaches on Wellington's southern coast, both Barker and Little said caution is still advised.
"The sample sites we have been testing have not included areas out in the Cook Strait near the long outfall pipe, so activities further from the shore such as surfing and diving should be conducted at people’s own risk," Barker said.
The public was also advised to check advice from Ministry for Primary Industries on gathering seafood.
“Additionally, while Wellington Water has successfully completed work over the weekend aimed at improving the flow of water to the long outfall pipe, there is still a risk that the short outfall pipe may be needed again during heavy rainfall. If this happened, it would mean untreated and unscreened wastewater discharged into Tarakena Bay.”
If this were to happen, Barker said Wellington Water would immediately notify LAWA, who would continue to provide advice to the public about which beaches are safe to swim at along the south coast.
"LAWA’s standard advice to not enter the water during rainfall, or after rain for 48 hours remains."
Little said although today's progress marked a turning point, "we are far from the end of the journey".
"There is still a major infrastructure plant to restore, and lessons that must be learned through the Crown Review process."
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