Map highlights sewer repair progress

The Christchurch City Council today released a map of the damaged sewer network in the east of the city to help residents understand the extent of the earthquake repair work required and progress made so far

This is the second in a series of maps being prepared by the Council to outline key issues and repairs to the city’s earthquake-damaged sewer network. The aim is to help residents understand the work happening in their neighbourhoods. The maps will be updated regularly, and are available online, under the Wastewater section. See map.

The map released today shows the status of the sewer network in the east of the city. It shows the chemical toilet distribution area – within the boundaries of which residents have been required to use chemical or portable toilets since February. It also indicates the locations of the nearly 20,000 properties within that area have been told they can start using their household toilet again in recent weeks.

Council Water and Waste Manager Mark Christison says Council staff and contractors are working to restore sewer services as quickly as possible.

“The first phase of emergency response – the allocation of portaloos and chemical toilets to worst-affected areas – is complete and the second phase of clearing the silt and sand from sewers is progressing steadily. In parallel with this silt-clearing work the Council and contractors have been repairing sewers on the hills (where silt was not a problem) and investigating temporary sewer solutions in streets where clearing sand and silt is not working or sewer damage is too extensive to maintain a flow path from the property.

“Council staff and contractors are working across the city and residents will notice a difference in coming weeks and months as more work gets underway. The next step is the long-term repair and this will take some years to complete,” Mr Christison says.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says the Council understands that keeping residents informed about progress in their neighbourhood is very important.

 “The rebuild of our wastewater networks and other damaged infrastructure is a complex process, but we know residents are eager to learn as much about the plan as possible. These maps will help us keep people informed by singling out some of the key works and updating on progress.”

“The permanent repair is a long-term job and in the meantime we will be introducing temporary solutions to badly affected areas to ensure they get back on the system by the end of August. Throughout all this, we will be keeping residents updated on progress and we will work hard to limit disruption to roads and communities. We understand that there is an eagerness for information and we are working hard to supply this, at the same time as pushing ahead with the essential repairs to Christchurch’s earthquake-damaged infrastructure.”