Urgent work to replace corroded Waitangi sewer pipe

**UPDATE on Thursday 17 November - this has been postponed and will now take place on Monday 21 November**

Emergency work to replace a corroded sewer pipe that runs the length of the one lane bridge at Waitangi will begin on Wednesday 16 November, after the conclusion of a survey inspection by the Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA) confirming that the bridge can support the temporary repair.

The urgent work will take two days and follows a recent inspection that found serious deterioration to one section of the pipe that serves Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands, the yacht club, the boat ramp and wharf facilities. The 100mm diameter line is around 40 years old and is made from concrete encased in steel. It is designed for marine environments.

Andy Finch, General Manager – Infrastructure and Asset Management says there is no evidence that wastewater has escaped from the line, but wastewater is now being diverted to an underground storage tank on the treaty grounds side of the bridge. This has storage capacity for up to three days. The tank is being pumped out into vacuum trucks for transport directly to the wastewater network at Haruru, as required.  

Works include running a temporary polyethylene pipeline under the bridge, which is securely strapped to other utility pipes beneath the bridge. The existing sewer line will be flushed with clean water before it is unbolted, and the new pipe attached to sewer mains at either end of the bridge.

Mr Finch says the temporary fix will be good for several months, until a permanent, larger capacity pipe can be installed. "The temporary fix will not prevent traffic using the bridge, although pedestrian access may be restricted while work is underway. However, work to install a permanent replacement will likely require scaffolding along the bridge, a crane and, possibly, bridge closures." He says that work will be undertaken after the summer tourist season and Waitangi Day to keep disruption to a minimum.

Mr Finch says that he and Far North Waters staff have met with Te Tii Marae Committee and hapū members to inform them about the corroded pipe and measures taken to prevent any wastewater spilling into the Waitangi River.

Work to install the temporary pipe is due to be completed by Friday 18 November.