Crs Andrew Simms and Russell Lund say repeated failures of the Dunedin City Council’s wastewater system require an apology to residents.
"Discharging others’ sewage into the backyards of Surrey St residents is at the extreme end of unacceptable — without question the council should expedite every intervention available to prevent this occurring in the future," Cr Simms said.
Last month, the Otago Regional Council issued an abatement notice to the city council over wastewater spillage in Surrey St and surrounds when systems are overloaded during rain.
Under the notice, the city council must halt discharge of wastewater and human sewage to land in select Forbury streets by June 30, 2027.
The Otago Daily Times asked councillors what they made of the notice and if residents deserved an apology.
Cr Simms said it was a "very important line in the sand" for the council and residents.
The notice was issued after a regional council compliance investigation concluded the discharge breached the Resource Management Act.
It set a timeline for the council to remedy the breach and councillors should make such work a funding priority, Cr Simms said.
"The city collectively should also apologise to the residents of Surrey St for the protracted anxiety and risk to their health."
Earlier this week, city council Three Waters, property and urban development general manager David Ward said staff were working to deliver the required upgrades within 18 months, although it would be "challenging".
Cr Lund also favoured an apology to residents "for years of dissembling" work.
"If DCC staff believe the timeframe is challenging then DCC needs to reorder its priorities — it must be done."
Mr Ward said it had repeatedly acknowledged the distress overflows caused residents.
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said she felt for residents in an "unacceptable" situation but trusted staff were working swiftly to improve the situation.
"We also need to make sure longer-term solutions are well designed and implemented, to ensure they are cost-effective and avoid creating unintended problems elsewhere in the network."
Cr Mickey Treadwell said his "heart went out to" Surrey St residents, who were bearing the burden of historic infrastructure underinvestment.
Cr Doug Hall said the notice provided clarity and accountability — "what matters now is delivery".
Cr Lee Vandervis said the notice’s scope appeared narrow compared with city-wide wastewater network issues.
"Surrey St residents should be congratulated for being effectively persistent in putting public pressure on the DCC to sort out their long-standing flood-event sewage outflow health risk."
Cr Jules Radich said $60 million of work to address city-wide wastewater overflows, including Surrey St, was funded through the council’s nine-year plan but the complex work would take several years.
Two measures to manage excess wastewater were in place and more were expected next year, Cr Radich said.
Cr Steve Walker said the council’s Three Waters forward work programme covered decades and ran to billions of dollars.
He backed staff to prioritise work and funding.
Cr John Chambers said he was pleased to see work under way.
Crs Christine Garey, Marie Laufiso, Cherry Lucas, Mandy Mayhem, Benedict Ong, Brent Weatherall did not respond to requests for comment.
