Overflow Notification
This is to inform you that the Chapel Street Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was activated at approximately 8:30am on 27 March 2026.
Due to high rainfall over the past 12 hours, inflows exceeded the plant’s treatment capacity, resulting in the activation of the emergency overflow discharge. This discharge is authorised under Resource Consent 62882. As a result, treated wastewater is being discharged to the harbour.
The discharge will remain in place until inflows to the Chapel Street facility reduce. Given the current weather conditions, this is likely to continue over the coming weekend.
The discharge is likely to have impacted Tauranga Harbour, particularly in the Maxwells Road and Sulphur Point areas.
Current Actions
TCC contractors will place warning signage in areas for public access, along the Maxwells Road and Sulphur Point Area.
This is a follow-up to the earlier notification regarding the activation of the Chapel Street emergency wastewater overflow discharge.
The discharge ceased at 10:30am on 27 March, with a total of 413 m³ of treated wastewater discharged through the bypass. As a precaution, Council left the notification in place over the weekend as a contingency; however, this was not required.
Water quality sampling will start when weather permits.
Further Information
Contact Tauranga City Council on 07 577 7000.