Stringing big pipe together

One of the biggest PVC pipelines in the Gisborne district is about to be installed over the next 2 weeks as Council commences work on the new Steele Road wastewater pressure pipeline yesterday.

“We will be drilling and open trenching 750 meters of pipeline along Steele Road, Matthews Road and Wainui Road over the next week or two,” says water utilities manager Neville West.

“‘Pipe strings’ are currently being welded together in lengths of 60 to 120 meters.”

The pipe will then be pulled from the welding area to the drill rig, then the rig will drill a cavity for the pipe and pull the pipe string into position in the ground.

Most of the pipeline will be directionally drilled at 2 meters deep, with some open excavation for road crossings.

“This means at times access to properties will be restricted and we will need to take the pipe strings across the road to the drill rig,” says Mr West,

“Contractors will ensure people are informed if access to houses in the area will be affected.”

The pipeline conveys wastewater flows from 550 households in the Steele Road area into the main interceptor on Wainui Road

The current pipeline is in poor condition and being renewed as part of Council’s wastewater renewal programme in the current ten year plan.

Council are proposing to spend another $22 million in the long term plan for 2015 – 2025 on work that will reduce wastewater discharge into our waterways.

ENDS

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