Impact of pipeline failure not huge on Waiwhetu, says HCC
By Tim O?Connell
As the latest round of repairs to the main outfall pipeline near completion, the public have been urged to avoid the Waiwhetu and Eastern Bays areas. The Hutt City Council announced on March 26 that urgent repairs to the 18 kilometre structure would mean that wastewater would flow into the waterways around Seaview and the Eastern Bays. But while traffic was tipped to be disrupted during the estimated two week period, any long term damage to the stream appears to have been dismissed. With the cleanup of the Waiwhetu Stream acknowledged as a high priority by the Greater Wellington Regional Council, the discharge of treated wastewater has thrown up an extra challenge to eliminate pollution from the Hutt River mouth area. According to HCC Manager of City Infrastructure Bruce Sherlock, the urgent action and subsequent monitoring of the pipeline will ensure any harm to the water ways will be minimal. ?Because the wastewater is fully treated and UV disinfected, the impact on the Waiwhetu Stream and Eastern Bay areas will be minor,? he said. ?However, the Regional Council is advising the public to avoid swimming or collecting shellfish in the affected areas until further notice.? This latest spillage represents the third time in three years that the pipeline has required urgent attention to fix leaks. Repairs made during February 2006 resulted in the closure of several Eastern Bays beaches as a precautionary measure to swimmers and bathers over summer. Joint failures have been cited as requiring regular maintenance in order to prevent leaks. At the time of going to press, it was still unclear as to what the specific cause of the pipeline failure was, although Mr Sherlock said all efforts were being made by HCC and GWRC staff to address the issue. ?The pipeline is a vital part of the Hutt Valley and Wainuiomata wastewater system and we are urgently investigating the cause of the failures.?
