Raw sewage at Golden Bay Estuary

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The discovery of a broken sewer pipe has led to a shellfish ban at Ligar Bay and Tata Beach.

On social media, the council said the pipe had now been repaired, but they were unable to say how much raw sewage had flowed into the adjacent tidal area during the breakage.

The problem was discovered on the main highway halfway between the two beachside settlements last week.

Team leader water supply and wastewater Becky Marsay told the committee the pipe was damaged while some slipwork was being cleaned.

What you need to know:
- A ban is now in place on gathering shellfish at Ligar Bay and Tata Beach, and locals have been advised that they should not have contact with the water in the estuaries until it had been thoroughly flushed by several tides.
- The area is off limits until at least Wednesday and warning signs have been erected in the area.