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Emergency storage tank reduces sewage overflow risk

Tuesday 2 October 2007, 10:42AM

By Far North District Council

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The new tank
The new tank Credit: Far North District Council

NORTHLAND

Contractors working on an emergency sewage storage tank are meeting engineering challenges head-on as they battle excess water and difficult soil conditions on the Puketona Road site.


Work on the important project to reduce the risk of sewage overflows from the Waitangi Major pumping station started just over a month ago and is planned to be completed before Christmas.


The tank installation under State Highway reserve land up the hill beyond the Nautilus and towards Haruru Falls, follows the $5.7millionWaitangi pipeline replacement commissioned earlier this year.


Fulton Hogan Ltd has been awarded the $820,000 contract to lay six 2.1metre diameter concrete pipes six metres beneath the ground where they will act as a storage facility in the event of pump failure.


Project Manager Nigel Cheetham said the contractors were progressing slowly while they tried different methods to get rid of the groundwater before laying the pipes. “At all times, the emphasis is on minimal disruption to surrounding properties,” he explained. “Work will progress with more speed once we have established the best method for the conditions.”


The excavation work is being monitored in case any archaeological or cultural remains are discovered during the project.


Traffic movement is restricted during the project although two-way traffic flows are being maintained around the construction site.


As with the Waitangi pipeline replacement project, a project liaison team comprising council, contractor, community board, iwi, Northland DHB, Transit NZ and Northland Regional Council representatives will meet regularly to keep key agencies informed of progress.


Caption: Contractors work to overcome excess water and difficult soil conditions as they try to excavate six metres beneath the ground in order to lay large pipes for an emergency storage tank.