Environment Canterbury has cancelled the abatement notice issued to Christchurch City Council following unauthorised sewage discharges into two harbours.
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Responding to environmental harm incidents
Last updated: 17 August 2026
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Core service: Environmental Regulation and Protection
We work to protect the environment and to mitigate the impacts from specific threats such as environmental incidents.
Typically, we receive around 3,500 – 4,000 reports of environmental incidents each year. Based on the initial incident report, events are categorised as standard or elevated. Further assessment is then carried out to determine the appropriate response.
How are we tracking on our service measures?
Service measure 7: Percentage of reports of elevated environmental harm incidents assessed and assigned within 2 hours of receipt of report
Target: 75% or more
How are we doing: 89% – there were 411 environmental harm incidents categorised as elevated YTD
On track
Service measure 8: Percentage of reports of all environmental harm incidents assessed and assigned within 24 hours
Target: 90% or more
How are we doing: 98% – there were a total of 2479 environmental harm incidents YTD
On track
Service measure 9: Percentage of Tier 2 marine oil spills responded to in accordance with our Environment Canterbury Marine Oil Spill Response Plan
Target: 100%
How are we doing: 100% - six Tier 2 responses year-to-date and five in quarter three
On track
More information
Reports are received from various sources, often some time after the event. We assess all reports for the risk of harmful effects and categorise them as standard or elevated, according to agreed criteria. Then we assign staff to respond, or refer to other agencies, with priority given to the most serious incidents. Staff undertake further investigation of all reports, including attendance if required, and allocate a compliance grade to the incident. Follow up action is taken where appropriate, including advice and education, written warnings, abatement notices, infringement notices or prosecutions.
Over the year the Council undertook one prosecution and laid five charges in relation to one significant dairy effluent discharge.
Compliance staff have worked with an independent expert to rigorously assess Christchurch City Council’s response to the abatement notice previously issued in relation to odour issues from the damaged wastewater treatment plant in Bromley. In quarter four, the assessment was completed and Christchurch City Council have been formally advised they have met all conditions, and the abatement notice has been cancelled. Work continues with Christchurch City Council on resolution of abatement notice related to unconsented wastewater overflows into Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa Harbour.
If you are aware of an environmental incident that seems time critical, please call our incident line on 0800 765 588 (24 hours). For non-urgent issues, please report it via our report it form.