Flash surface flooding, stormwater drains overwhelmed, minor slips and subsidence and treated wastewater discharging into the Waikato River were the consequence of a short-lived but intense downpour in Taupō early on Friday evening.
Residents in a number of streets in the central township took videos of flooded driveways, gutters that couldn't cope and even water pouring in window frames as well as cars on Lake Terrace coping with 100-150mm of water.
A statement from the Taupō District Council reported that the pumps at the Taupō Wastewater Treatment Plant which transfer treated wastewater to the land disposal system were unable to keep up with the significant increase in water, which resulted in some treated wastewater discharging into the Waikato River.
The overflow ran from approximately 6pm to 7pm, the council statement said, estimating that between 150 to 200 cubic meters were discharged to the river.
"With high river flows, and the relatively short period of time that the discharge occurred over, it is expected that risks to water quality were short lived, however council staff are continuing to complete further in-river sampling to check water quality results."
Waikato Regional Council were notified, along with relevant iwi and hapu and downstream river users, and the council said it would continue to work with them in the coming days.
The statement also said a full investigation would be undertaken to identify measures which could assist with managing Taupō's wastewater system during high intensity weather events.
On Saturday morning, RNZ reported that local fire crews had responded to 18 flooding calls and six vegetation fires caused by lightning strikes.
Downpours caused by the intense event were very localised however with some residents in Acacia Bay reporting barely any rain during the evening despite witnessing the thunder and lightning in town and further west.
