Wairoa District Council is looking to the future to manage Wairoa's wastewater. "Currently we produce too much for our small town" says Jamie Cox, Wairoa District Council Engineering Manager.

"This means large expensive treatment systems and bigger pipes may be needed, or alternatively we have to allow less to go down the pipes."

Water leaking through pipes buried under the road and people directing roof down pipes into the sewer are two common reasons wastewater treatment plants can get over loaded. Mr Cox indicated that during heavy rain events the volume can increase up to five times as a result of rain water and flooding getting into the sewer pipes.

The Wairoa District Council is about to start house to house surveys to check wastewater drainage from properties and identify where storm water is getting into the sewer. The common causes of storm water entry into the wastewater system are downpipes which discharge into gully traps, and gully traps which are set too low allowing flood water to flow in.

The District Council is engaging a QRS employee and a student over the next two months to visit properties and check drains. The team will introduce themselves to anyone that is home and explain what they are doing when they visit the property. They will then complete the inspection and leave a letter at the property which advises that the survey has been completed.

Anybody wishing to discuss the inspection should contact Jamie Cox at Council's Office on 06-838-7309.

5 July 2016

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