Sewer Pipe Improvements Coming to Waitara

Steam will be rising from Waitara’s streets next month – but it’s all part of a sewer improvement project.

New Plymouth District Council will be working on the town’s sewer network to reduce the amount of groundwater that infiltrates the pipes.

Four pipes will have their interior relined, other pipes will be patched where they join lateral pipes to houses, and some concrete manholes will be replaced with manholes made from plastic.

“When we’re relining the pipes, the lining material will first have to be steamed to make it soft enough to be winched through the sewer pipe. People are likely to see large wafts of steam from time to time, but it’s nothing to be concerned about,” says Manager Water and Wastes Brent Manning.

“The lining will reinforce the pipes and also prevent tree roots from wedging their way in.”

Waitara’s sewer network has a high amount of groundwater infiltration, which is treated along with the sewage.

“By reducing the amount of groundwater in the sewer network we’ll reduce the volume of wastewater that is treated – which means cost savings and great efficiency at the treatment plant,” says Mr Manning.

The work begins on 2 May and will be finished by the end of June.