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Yachting New Zealand is urging Auckland yachties and boaties to avoid racing on the Waitematā Harbour this weekend, as raw wastewater continues to pour into it at an unprecedented rate following the collapse of a sewerage pipe in Parnell.
Authorities yesterday confirmed that over 25 metres of the sewer line remains blocked amid major excavation work and that swimming in the harbour would be unsafe for at least 10 days.
Several of the city's beaches have been closed and local iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei yesterday placed a rāhui across the Waitematā Harbour.
While transport across the Waitematā is permitted, no swimming, fishing, paddling, diving, or other recreational activities are allowed.
The harbour extends west for 18km from the end of the Rangitoto Channel. The westernmost ends extend past Whenuapai in the northwest, and to Te Atatū Peninsula in the west, as well as forming the estuarial arm known as the Whau River in the southwest.
The northern shore of the harbour consists of North Shore.
"Given the rāhui, the weather state and the black water notices across over two dozen beaches, we want to strongly recommend that club members do not to participate in racing of any type in the Waitematā Harbour this weekend," said Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie.
"It is generally expected to take between 48 and 72 hours after a leak has been stopped before it is deemed safe to get back on the water. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and ask that all members heed the official advice from authorities."
The Yachting New Zealand national youth championships/Youth Trials, that were due to start at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club today, has been postponed to Sunday and will now be held off Murrays Bay, where the beaches have not been affected by the sewage spill.
Major excavation work is under way after the collapse of a sewerage pipe in Parnell. Photos / Watercare
In an earlier statement, Watercare said the impact of the collapsed line on the Ōrākei main sewer was much larger than initially thought.
"Our crews are working around the clock using hydro-excavation (jetting water) and a vacuum sucker truck to remove debris from the blockage inside the sewer.
"By midday (Friday 29 September), they had completed excavation around the top of the sinkhole to make it safe. They will be spraying concrete like product on the slope today (Friday) to prevent more material falling in."
Heavy rain and significant gales expected over the weekend could further impact repair efforts.
"The impact of any rain overnight will be highly dependent on where it falls," the statement said.
"We will receive another forecast later today."
For rolling updates, visit Watercare’s website here.
For the latest information on water quality and swimming conditions, visit the Safeswim website here.
