During his report to the Clutha District Council service delivery committee meeting last Thursday, service delivery group manager Jules Witt revealed an inquiry was under way after untreated effluent was discharged into the Pomahaka River at Tapanui a fortnight prior.
He said the leak, from the Tapanui wastewater treatment plant, had been rectified the day it was discovered, and Otago Regional Council notified of the occurrence.
"A blockage at the line coming into the Tapanui wastewater treatment system was discovered two weeks ago and this was cleared.
"A pipeline that was not shown on our plans is thought to have caused untreated effluent to bypass the treatment system and discharge into the Pomahaka River," Mr Witt said.
The news precipitated furious outbursts from councillors at the meeting, leading to a wider airing of other alleged failings in service delivery standards from council contractor Citycare Water.
Councillors moved to summon Citycare executives to answer concerns, at their next meeting on December 8.
In December 2020, the council and Citycare were taken to court by Otago Regional Council for sewerage network failures, leading to a fine of almost $500,000 for the council.
At the time, Citycare pleaded not guilty to 12 charges relating to the case, which they are answering before Christchurch District Court at present.
Yesterday, neither party would be drawn further on the situation.
Council chief executive Steve Hill was unable to provide details of the duration or seriousness of the discharge, saying an investigation was still under way.
"The investigation is not yet completed so we are not able to provide more detail at this stage.
"ORC has been notified and a copy of the investigation findings will be provided. There has been no feedback [from ORC] to date," he said.
On Thursday, Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan was among the most vocal critics of Citycare, which he said held a $20 million contract with the council.
"I’m at my wits’ end. Three years ago we had our sewage debacle, yet look where we are today."
