Wastewater pipes to be repaired

Tararua District Council staff discovered "a significant portion" of wastewater pipes were damaged in the district after the 6.2 magnitude earthquake in January.

Culverts and water reticulation pipes within Eketahuna escaped major damage in the big January 20 earthquake, but wastewater pipes were not so lucky.

Tararua District Council staff carried out a detailed investigation into possible infrastructural damage after the 6.2 quake and discovered "a significant portion" of the wastewater pipes were damaged.

Work was carried out using closed circuit television cameras which revealed widespread damage to the network, mostly pipes becoming misaligned or cracked and movement at the juncture of pipes. The investigation of the wastewater pipes showed an estimated 90 per cent of the network had been damaged to some degree.

Wastewater pipes within Eketahuna were insured for just over $2.5 million with an excess on the policy of $250,000.

The council is to replace sections of pipe, joints and, where possible, the lining of pipes.

The work will depend on the extent of damage, taking a "least cost approach' and council staff have been in touch with the insurers and loss adjustors to speed up the process.

In Pahiatua, initial inspections found similar damage to Eketahuna and remedial work has started.

Investigations are to continue and, if needed, an inspection of the entire underground wastewater network of the town will be done at which time insurers will be advised of the requirements.