NEWS RELEASE
from Hutt City Council

25 September 2003

Sewer Inspections Will Create Traffic Delays

Hutt City will shortly begin ‘condition surveys’ of the main outfall sewer between the treatment plant in Seaview and Pencarrow Head.

Hutt City’s contractors, E. Carson & Sons Ltd, will dig at up to six sites between Seaview and Burdan's gate at the south end of Eastbourne, resulting in the road being narrowed to one lane in places, with traffic being controlled by automatic traffic lights.

The work will be managed by Hutt Valley Water Services, advised by MWH Ltd, and is expected to begin at the end of September, with completion by mid-November.

“The objective of the survey is to assess the condition of the concrete and reinforcing steel which makes up the pipes, and unfortunately the only way to do this is to excavate around the pipes to allow tests to be done,” said Stuart Duncan, General Manager Asset Services.

“The Contractors carrying out the work are highly experienced and have been instructed to take all reasonable measures to minimise inconvenience to the travelling public.

“However, there is simply no other way to complete the survey, so the patience and cooperation of the public is needed. While wanting to minimise disruption to motorists we do want to ensure that all works, including the improvements to the Hutt Park roundabout are completed before Christmas,” said Stuart Duncan.

Inspections are required because:
- the pipeline was last inspected in 1990, well prior to the completion of the new Seaview treatment plant
- it is a very valuable asset (replacement cost in the order of $50-60m
- the Council needs to estimate when it will require replacing or renovating so the long term financial plan can be updated
- Council needs to know its condition to forecast future reliability
- Council is currently undertaking investigations for renewal of the Pencarrow discharge consent and the main outfall sewer is the main pipeline taking treated wastewater to this location

Both internal and external inspections are proposed, and provision has been made in the Council’s current LTCCP for these.

The internal inspection is programmed for the middle of next year and more information will be made available closer to the time. All public consultation has been completed and the necessary resource consents obtained from Greater Wellington and Department of Conservation.

“Carrying out these inspections is consistent with Council’s responsibilities in ensuring that we have a clean and healthy environment, one of the communities top five priorities,” said Stuart Duncan.

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Condition Survey Of Pencarrow Sewer Pipe

This letter is to inform you that Hutt City will shortly begin ‘condition surveys’ of the main outfall sewer between the treatment plant in Seaview and Pencarrow Head.

The survey’s objective is to assess the condition of the concrete and reinforcing steel, which makes up the pipes and the only way to do this is to excavate around the pipes. Council’s contractors will dig at up to six sites between Seaview and Burdan’s Gate.

Unfortunately this will almost certainly create delays for traffic, as the excavation work will reduce the road down to one lane. Traffic will be controlled at the excavation sites by automatic traffic lights.

Coming on top of delays caused by the works at the Hutt Park roundabout we are mindful of the inconvenience this will cause motorists. However, the work has been tendered and our desire is that all road works be completed before Christmas.

We are also mindful of our responsibilities towards ensuring a clean, green environment. Something that the community have told us is very important to them. The pipeline was last inspected in 1990 and given the cost to replace the asset – some $50-60million – it is simply not feasible to put off the inspections. Council needs to know its condition to forecast future reliability.

E. Carson & Sons are the contractors undertaking the physical works, Hutt Valley Water Services will be managing the project and they will be advised by MWH Ltd.

The work is expected to begin at the end of September, with completion by mid-November.

The current work is an external condition survey. But an internal inspection is also necessary and has been programmed for the middle of next year. More information will be made available closer to the time. Be assured that all public consultation has been completed and the necessary resource consents obtained from Greater Wellington and Department of Conservation.

Yours sincerely

Bruce Sherlock
MANAGER, STREET SERVICES

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