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"Could be a national disaster": Pushback to City Council's sewage discharge plan

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Mar 2026, 8:32am
Photo / File
Photo / File

"Could be a national disaster": Pushback to City Council's sewage discharge plan

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Mar 2026, 8:32am

Mussel farmers are warning that plans to discharge partially treated sewage into the ocean to deal with Christchurch's Bromley stink, could wipe out aqua culture.

The City Council's planning to dump 30% of partially treated wastewater into the ocean to ease pressure on the poorly operating treatment plant.  

Two thousand tonnes of green lipped mussels come from eight Aroma New Zealand farms in Banks Peninsula annually.  

Company director Ben Winters told Mike Hosking chlorine and sewage don't need to go to sea.  

He warns if plans go ahead, it could be a national disaster. 

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