Wellington is considering discharging its wastewater to sea in order to save millions of dollars for the battle against covid-19.

Leaked emails show Wellington City councillor Sean Rush is asking councillors to "discuss the option" of using the "long outfall" pipe to discard wastewater - which includes sewage - 2km off South Coast beach Lyall Bay.

Most are against the idea, with some appalled at the prospect.

Ratepayers are forking out nearly $100,000 a day to ferry wastewater by truck from the city's Moa Point treatment plant to the landfill, after a pipe between the two failed in January.

Rush, who leads the three waters portfolio, said using the outfall was not an option he would normally consider but covid-19 had put the city in a likely $70 million borrowing hole and every area of council needed to look where savings could be made.

READ MORE:

* Wellington City Council reveals proposed coronavirus economic recovery plan

* Councillors agree to involve experts and community members in investigation into water problems

* Oceania Dairy claims 'minimal' marine effects of wastewater pipeline

He said this wastewater was treated, even though it missed the process of going to a facility near the Wellington landfill where it is put through a centrifuge to remove solids from liquids.

Rush said those trucks were costing ratepayers $680,000 per week. That was money the city needed as it dealt with the covid-19 crisis.

ROSA WOODS/STUFF Councillor Sean Rush wants Wellington City Council to look at discharging wastewater off Lyall Bay.

"Wellington Water expected this interim solution to be in play for a short period while the sludge pipes were repaired," he wrote to councillors.

"But covid-19 has caused a delay – we need German expertise, equipment and replacement 'sleeves' to be manufactured and landed in NZ which is impossible under the current situation.

"We don't know how long this delay will be for but it could be many months, maybe even as long as it takes for a vaccine to be developed, with the consequential expense draining our finances."

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF The outfall ends 2km off Wellington's Lyall Bay (File photo).

The Moa Point long outfall pipe could be easily activated as an "interim measure", he said. He understood it was considered not harmful to the environment.

"There are no solids (paper, sanitary pads, needles) or visible excrement. Rather it is discoloured water containing organic waste."

ROSA WOODS/STUFF Councillor Laurie Foon has been leading the charge against the discharge idea.

Councillors Tamatha Paul, Fleur Fitzsimons, Jill Day, Rebecca Matthews, Laurie Foon, Teri O'Neill, and Sarah Free wrote to council boss Barbara McKerrow on Saturday opposing the idea. The seven are one short of a majority on the 15-member council.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF Wellington Water contractors take sludge from the Moa Point Treatment Plant to the Southern Landfill after a wastewater pipe broke under Mt Albert.

"This option has been mooted as a way to save money that could be done under an emergency consent," the letter said.

"We argue that this act would be harmful to our environment, would further undermine Wellingtonians' shaky confidence in our water and waste systems, and it should not be be progressed.



KEVIN STENT/STUFF The Moa Point treatment plant.

"Even a quick check in with marine scientists suggests that the advice that the treated water is not environmentally hazardous would be many years out of date and based on old science and at the very least a more up to date environmental impact report be undertaken before any more discussion is had."

Foon, who has been leading the charge against Rush's suggestion, said there was strong community freeling that the environment should not bear the fallout from covid-19.

"I also think it would damage our capital's reputation as all Wellingtonians love our natural environment and are especially proud of our blue belt. I don't think this is an act they'd stand tall about."

All Wellington councillors were asked whether they supported the idea:

Diane Calvert: I thought Sean was gathering relevant and independent advice around this ie investigating whether it is feasible taken into account; resources, costs, consenting, environmental impacts etc to see first whether it is a viable proposal?

Fleur Fitzsimons: No. The trucks have been very unpleasant, it would be a backwards step to undo their important work by resorting to discharging into Cook Strait now.

Sarah Free: Although I understand the financial pressures, I'm not in favour of changing our current approach without more understanding of the environmental impacts.

Jenny Condie: We haven't received any officer advice on this. The original decision to truck waste was made at an operational level. If we were to revisit the approach to trucking waste, my decision would depend on advice regarding the environmental impact of this suggestion.

Rebecca Matthews: No. We mustn't be tempted through cost cutting to turn a public health and economic crisis into an ecological one.