‘Inexcusable’ Gisborne sewer blockage finally cleared

The Gisborne District Council reported ecstatically late on Tuesday afternoon that the major sewer blockage problem in the Mangapapa area had finally been cleared.

“It’s out!” was the excited social media exclamation from Gisborne District Council on Tuesday afternoon as it announced that a major sewer blockage in Mangapapa had finally been cleared.

The emergency sewage discharge valve at the Oak Street pump station had to be opened for 12 hours on Monday, January 6, because of what was described as “an inexcusable” dumping of garden waste down a manhole.

Health warnings were put in place on city rivers and the beaches for five days.

“Thanks to awesome teamwork, the garden waste blocking the pipe has been moved on,” the council announced late on Tuesday afternoon.

“The ‘beaver-like dam’ of garden waste, fat, clothes, and wet wipes took a lot of manpower to break up.”

A "beaver-like dam" of waste, including garden waste tipped down a manhole, was found between Stout and Oak streets. This camera image inside the pipe shows how big it was.

It was finally located about 150m along the sewer pipe from Stout St down to Oak St.

“Fulton Hogan combined 200hp jetting with a mechanical cleaner like a weed eater to break up the dam,” the council said.

“A massive shout out to the team.”

Contractors and council staff were still on site doing the final clearing on Wednesday.

“What an expensive blockage. Our engineer’s estimate is around $50,000 to fix the issue.”

The council said people must remember the “Three Ps”.

“Only ever flush pee, poo, and paper down your toilet.

“We should never find clothes, wet wipes, fat, and garden waste in a wastewater pipe. That all belongs in the rubbish bin or compost bin.”