26 June 2008

Media release

Waitakere residents urged to check properties before next storm

Despite last night’s stormy weather that brought heavy rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning, no reports of flood, property or road damage have been reported to Waitakere City Council.

However, with weather forecasts predicting downpours for the rest of the week, the council is encouraging residents to be proactive in protecting their properties from any potential storm damage.

“Check that your roof, gutters, gully traps and stormwater drains are clear of debris and working to capacity,” says Councillor Derek Battersby, chairman of the council's Infrastructure and Works Committee.

“It’s no fun on a dark, wet and windy night to have to deal with the consequences of blockages, split pipes, leaks and overflows, so it’s best to go out and check your property during the next fine spell to ensure everything has been working as it should.”

People should also remember that if they think they have a blocked drain, they should contact the council first and we will check the problem for free. This saves paying to get in plumber, only to find out that the problem is not on their land. If the council knows about it, we will check the problem and then be able to say for sure, whether the problem is on the resident's land or not. If it is, the resident can then call in a plumber or drainlayer - but if the problem is in the council's pipe, we have to fix it," Cr Battersby says.

Councillor Battersby says that it is gratifying that there was no significant stormwater damage in the city.

"Apart from the fact that it is good that people are not suffering, we have invested very heavily in stormwater management over a lot of years and it looks like it may be paying off," he says.

ENDS

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