First water mains swabbing completed successfully
Last night the Palmerston North City Council completed the first swabbing (cleaning) of one of the city’s trunk water
mains as part of the programme to eliminate sediment from the water network.
Council staff started preparation at 6:30pm and completed the work just before 11:00pm. Palmerston North City Council
water asset engineer Dora Luo says the entire process went smoothly and took less time than expected. “I’m pleased to
say the Council received no discoloured water complaints as a result of the operation.”
The Council maintains an annual swabbing programme between the Turitea Water Treatment Plant and the Swabbing Chamber at
the Fitzherbert Bridge for the purpose of removing sediment and minimising discoloured water issues.
There are two trunk pipes that need to be swabbed on separate occasions.
The Council plans to swab the second pipe as soon as possible and will advise residents via local media. The work can
only be carried out when the flow rate and turbidity of the Manawatū River reaches a certain level.
Updates will be provided on the Council’s Facebook page and www.pncc.govt.nz.
ENDS