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Kōrero: Sewage, water and waste

Detritus tank, 1904

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Detritus tank, 1904

Dumping night soil on the edges of town just shifted the problem. In Dunedin large ‘detritus tanks’ were constructed to hold sewage. This one, built in Frederick Street in 1904, was 7.6 metres across and 12 metres deep. Sewage also drained with stormwater in a combined system that had outlets into the harbour. It was clear that an ocean outfall was needed, and by 1908 sewage was being pumped into the Pacific at Lawyers Head. By 1912 a reasonably comprehensive sewerage system was in place.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Dunedin City Council Archives

Reference: 157/11/A

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Christine Dann, Sewage, water and waste – Stinking cities, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/24432/detritus-tank-1904 (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Christine Dann, i tāngia i te 12 April 2010.