Sewage flowed into the Wairau Stream at Ōākura Beach for about an hour and a half earlier today, according to the New Plymouth District Council. Photo: New Plymouth District Council
A popular New Plymouth beach is closed while the council cleans up a sewage leak.
According to the New Plymouth District Council, sewage flowed into the Wairau Stream at Ōākura Beach for about an hour and a half from 10.20am.
The cause was a blocked inlet to the Shearer Reserve Pump Station, the council said, but it was still investigating how the blockage happened.
In a statement, it warned the overflow could affect public health.
"Our team has responded and are on-site cleaning and sanitising the site," the council said.
"Warning signs against swimming and collecting kai have been erected at affected water bodies."
Information about the warnings, including where and how long they apply, can be found on the council's Can I Swim webpage.