Kaikorai Valley works enter new phase

Dunedin (Tuesday, 21 June 2016) – Extensive pipe renewal work to replace old water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in Kaikorai Valley is nearing the end of the second of four phases.

DCC Asset and Commercial Manager Tom Osborn says old cracked earthenware wastewater pipes, mostly laid in the 1900s, have been allowing groundwater to enter the wastewater system. This leads to flooding after heavy rain, resulting in overflows.

"This also adds to flooding in areas such as the northwest corner of South Dunedin, when pipe flows coming from Kaikorai Valley meet flows from other parts of the city and flatten out, creating a bottleneck effect."

He says the project also includes stormwater upgrades to increase network capacity and water pipe renewals to improve firefighting capacity.

"We appreciate that this essential work is highly disruptive to residents and so we are packaging work together to limit disruption overall. This may mean work takes longer now, but it also means we won’t have to return to the area to renew these assets for many decades. Packaging works in this way also provides contract efficiencies."

DCC Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Cr Kate Wilson says, “I am very pleased to see the investment of an expected total cost of $14 million into these renewals and upgrades and that the Council has prioritised this expenditure in tough times. While there is substantial inconvenience when the work is taking place, there will be significant benefits for the city.”

Work on phase one started in June last year and is now complete, while phase two will be completed by August. Both phases involved replacing pipes under roads.

Mr Osborn says, "Phase three will centre on improving environmental outcomes for the Kaikorai Stream by removing groundwater from the sewer pipes, which can cause sewer overflows during wet weather."

Culverts under School Street and Shetland Street will also be enlarged so water drains away more quickly and reduces the effects of flooding. Work will also be carried out at the Bishopcourt playing fields, including realigning the existing piped watercourse underneath.

Construction is expected to start in August 2016 and be completed by May 2017.

Phase four, which is currently in the planning stage, will involve the replacement of sewers through about 170 private properties. Work is not expected to take place until mid 2017. Affected property owners will be contacted over the next few months.

Visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/kv-pipeline-renewals for updates on the project and maps showing affected areas.

ENDS

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