Burial disruption continues

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High groundwater level remains an issue: council

Taruheru Cemetery remains closed for burials as the district experiences the highest groundwater level in at least almost half a century.

Gisborne District Council director of liveable communities Michele Frey said burials at Taruheru would continue to be significantly impacted over winter if there is more heavy rainfall.

“While this week’s dry weather has been good news and much of the surface flooding has now receded, the very high groundwater levels remain an issue.”

Ms Frey said groundwater levels had dropped to a depth of 600mm in some areas of the Nelson Road-located cemetery over the past week.

Burials at Taruheru Cemetery have been disrupted  for almost five months due to the district copping a year’s worth of rain in six months.

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the groundwater in the Te Hapara Sands Aquifer (across Gisborne) is at its highest since council records began in the 1980s.

Ms Frey said levels reduced to a satisfactory level for approximately four weeks. However, recent rain lifted the level again.

“It’s a terribly sad situation because it is affecting our community and whānau during such a sensitive part of life — when they’ve lost a loved one.”

The cemetery has been open to visitors but closed for burials intermittently since before Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We are very aware that families have been unable to have the burial they want for their loved one. Some families have chosen to wait for a burial when the groundwater level drops, and have been supported by Evans Funeral Services.”

Ms Frey said it was important for the community to know burials could continue to be significantly disrupted over winter.

“It will have to be on a case-by-case scenario because we cannot predict the weather and if any rain will raise the groundwater again.

“While a burial suspension has been in place since the recent rain, we are able to accommodate ash interments.”

The council was also considering long-term options to future-proof this important service, she said.

“Burials were closed for two months in 2012 when groundwater levels at Taruheru Cemetery rose to the height they currently are at, but at the time it was considered a ‘one-off event’.”

Council environmental monitoring team leader Peter Hancock said it was two steps forward, two steps back at the moment.

“We’re also seeing problems with private groundwater bores where these abnormally high levels are forcing aquifer groundwater up and out of boreheads and above-ground pipeworks.

“We encourage private landowners to ensure their pipeworks are sealed and taps turned off to prevent this leakage.”

For burials to take place at Taruheru Cemetery there needs to be no groundwater to these measurements — single depth burial 1200mm; double depth 1500mm; ash interment 400mm.