If you are currently experiencing an overflow or wastewater flooding on your property, please contact us immediately on (09) 442 2222.
Auckland’s wastewater system is designed to protect public health. The system is designed so that in most emergency situations, wastewater will safely overflow to the environment and will not back up in pipes and flow into streets or people’s homes. However, overflows of wastewater on to private or public property can occasionally occur for a number of reasons. These may include:
You can help prevent overflows
Plant trees away from sewer lines
Invasive tree roots can cause sewer blockages and eventually cause an overflow. Through thoughtful planning you can minimise the risk of sewer invasion by tree roots. For more information, please see our section on tree planting.
Dispose of fats oils and grease responsibly
Let fats cool and put them in the rubbish bin, not down the drains or in garbage disposals. Hot fats from cooking soon cool and turn solid when they enter the wastewater network. Just like fats clog our arteries, they also block pipes with damaging effects. For more detailed information, please see our section on fats, oil and grease disposal.
Dispose of household hazardous wastes responsibly
Paint, pesticides, cleaning fluids, solvents, used automobile oil and other chemicals should not be disposed of down wastewater pipes. Please dispose of these wastes responsibly by using the free Hazmobile service.
If you are unsure about what substances can safely be disposed of through the wastewater network, or would like information about where the wastewater pipes on your property are located, please contact us on (09) 442 2222.
Protecting our environment
Watercare works hard to ensure that the health of the public, and that of the environment, is not jeopardised by wastewater overflows. A number of initiatives have been put in place in recent years to improve Auckland’s overflow management and to improve the health of our harbours. Read more about Watercare's projects.