A large contracting company has been found guilty over the appalling state of Clutha's wastewater treatment plants

The Otago Daily Times reports City Care Limited was charged relating to contaminants being discharged from plants at Stirling, Owaka, Kaka Point, Tapanui and Lawrence in late 2019.

It had left them surrounded by thigh-high grass and weeds, encumbered by sludge, scum and algae.

Judge Brian Dwyer says the Christchurch City Council-owned company, failed to prevent essentially untreated wastewater, including human sewage, from escaping the facilities.