Sewage spilled onto a public road and neighbouring properties in Waihola after vandals damaged a wastewater pipe over the weekend, Clutha District Council says.
The council said the breather pipe on Titri Rd, in the South Otago township about 40km south of Dunedin, had been deliberately damaged more than once.
Contractors carried out an urgent after-hours callout to contain the overflow and make the area safe.
Clutha District Council wastewater and stormwater supervisor Peter Falconer said the damage went well beyond the cost of repairs.
"This was not a harmless act of vandalism. The damage resulted in sewage discharging into public spaces and neighbouring properties, creating a genuine health and safety risk for residents, staff and contractors."
The council must now have a replacement pipe made and installed. The new pipe and the after-hours callout are likely to cost more than $2000.
A council spokesperson said the pipe played an important role in running the town's wastewater network.
"Deliberately damaging these assets can result in environmental contamination, unnecessary emergency callouts, disruption to essential services and avoidable costs to our ratepayers."
The spokesperson said such damage also pulled resources away from maintaining and improving critical services.
The council is asking anyone who sees suspicious behaviour around public infrastructure, or who has information about the incident, to report it as soon as possible.
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