A mammoth effort has seen silt removed from under 125 local homes.

Clearing silt from under houses and properties has been a significant focus of Wairoa’s recovery, with only 13 more houses on the list to have under-house silt removed.

The challenging work is being carried out by local silt removal teams which have come together to help rebuild Wairoa. For many, the silt removal began by supporting their own whānau and has grown from there.

Silt removal involves crawling under houses and shuttling the silt out on wooden sleds. In some areas, hip-high silt has been removed to enable homes and buildings to dry out.

Silt removal around and under homes involves a different approach for each home depending on access, type of foundation, type of insulation, depth of silt and a risk assessment. Silt removal is essential as excessive silt levels can contribute to mould and decay.

If you have not yet requested to have silt removed from under your home, it’s not too late.

For silt removal, please lodge a Customer Service Request:

Online form https://www.wairoadc.govt.nz/contact-us/ customer-service-request/

Phone 06 838 7309

In-person at the Recovery Team Office at the Wairoa Airport Monday to Friday between 10am - 2pm or call into the Wairoa Young Achievers Trust building (the old Westpac building) on the corner of Marine Parade.

Caption: Silt has been removed from 125 houses in the district.

25 August 2023

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