Storm overwhelms Wellington wastewater system, causing sewage flooding

Wellington, New Zealand, has been hit by sewage flooding after a severe overnight storm overwhelmed the city’s already strained wastewater infrastructure.

Heavy rainfall combined with a thunderstorm caused wastewater to overflow into streets and homes, with untreated sewage also reportedly flowing into the sea. The incident comes as the city continues to face a prolonged sewage crisis affecting its water system over the past several months, The Independent reports. 

Wellington Water said five properties in the Island Bay suburb were affected after a blocked main led to a wastewater overflow on the morning of June 5. Emergency crews were deployed to the area with suction equipment to remove contaminated water and disinfect affected homes.

“We are working with property owners to assist with cleaning and disinfecting,” the utility said in a statement.

Footage from the area showed sewage, toilet paper, and sanitary waste flowing through streets overnight as drainage systems were overwhelmed. A local daycare centre was also forced to close after being inundated with wastewater, according to reports. In some areas, manhole covers were reportedly dislodged due to pressure in the system.

New Zealand’s MetService recorded more than 5,000 lightning strikes during the storm, with 25.7mm of rain falling in Wellington within two hours.

Authorities said the storm further strained the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant, which serves around 180,000 residents and processes the majority of the city’s sewage.

By Sabina Mammadli