Untreated sewage spills on south Auckland road after truck tail-gate failure

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

A clean-up has been completed after biosolids – a form of untreated sewage sludge – spilled onto roads near a wastewater treatment plant in Māngere, south Auckland.

The biosolids had spilt along Mark Ford Dr and Ascot Rd towards the motorway on Wednesday afternoon. 

Maxine Clayton, a spokeswoman for Watercare, said crews had finished the clean-up about 3.30pm. 

Drivers who had driven through the spill were being advised to wash their cars, either at a car wash or at home.

Clayton said an EnviroWaste truck's tail-gate had failed, resulting in the spill. 

One motorist who had driven through the spill at 12.45pm had gone to Greenlane to try and clean the bottom of their car. 

'The malodorous odour lingered on the tyres, people walking past the car could smell it.'

People were advised to avoid touching the biosolids with bare hands.

Clayton said one to two cubic metres had been spilled, with a 'huge pile' visible by the gates to the wastewater treatment plant. 

EnviroWaste has been contacted for comment.