Here to pump you up

This pumping station has been under construction for the last 2-3 years, snarling up parking at Mairangi Bay, which is my group’s home swimming beach. It’s finally operational.

The pumping station promises to move a bunch of wastewater from its big underground reservoir to the water treatment plant a few miles away. This is supposed to reduce the frequency and quantity of sewage overflows during storms. That in turn means cleaner water in the bays, and so more swimmable days. (Or maybe it’s better to say fewer unswimmable days, since actually the water is pretty darn good for being in a big urban area.)

We’ve had one big rainstorm since it opened, and all the beaches recorded sewage overflows (according to the Safeswim website) just like they always do. I don’t know enough to say whether the pumps are actually doing anything, but I sure hope we see some improvements!!