Contamination warning for Wellington beaches

3:37 pm on 4 February 2017

Summer weather has finally arrived in Wellington - but now residents are being warned to stay out of the water.

Oriental Parade after weather bomb

Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Wellington City Council said heavy rain earlier in the week caused a small overflow of wastewater at the Moa Point treatment plant.

The overflow lasted less than five minutes but warning signs had been posted at Lyall Bay, council spokesman Richard MacLean said.

Swimmers and surfers were advised to stay out of the water in the area until Sunday.

A sea swim elsewhere was also out, with the council also warning people to stay out of Wellington harbour until tomorrow too.

"[This is] due to the fact that pollution levels in the harbour will be higher due to contaminants washed down stormwater drains by the heavy rain," Mr MacLean said.

Metservice has forecast morning cloud for the region tomorrow, before rain and strong winds make a return on Monday.

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