Preparing for the electricity shutdown

Contingency planning is in progress to ensure water and wastewater services can be maintained during the proposed Transpower shutdown in the area north of the Mangamuka Ranges on Sunday 25th November 2007.


The electricity company is shutting down the bulk power supply to the area from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enable maintenance work on 110,000 volt lines.


Water & Wastewater Operations Manager Jim Brooks says that with the contingency plans in place, little impact was anticipated on normal water supplies. However high water usage or wet weather conditions could impact on wastewater services and people are requested to minimize water use during the shutdown period.


“At Kaitaia the water supply will be maintained with portable generators at the treatment plant, the Awanui River, Te Maire Avenue Reservoir and pump station and the Donald Road pump station,” he says.


Arrangements would be made for the triboard mill at Kaitaia to utilize water from its own reservoirs during the shutdown period. However production at the mill would also be affected by the electricity shutdown and the demand for water was expected to be minimal


“Portable generators are also being brought in to keep two of the major wastewater pumping stations operational in the East Coast scheme servicing Doubtless Bay. But at other centres including Kaitaia, Awanui, Ahipara, Rangiputa, Whatuwhiwhi, Tokerau Beach and Hihi, wastewater services will be maintained through the use of septic tank trucks.


“Levels at pumping stations and in holding areas will be closely monitored and tanker trucks will be sent out as required to transport wastewater to the closest sewage treatment plants for storage,” he says.


Similar arrangements would be made for Sunday 2nd December if Transpower needed further time to complete line maintenance work.