Gisborne District Council contractors have started repairing its wastewater outfall pipe, at popular surfing spot The Pipe, at Midway Beach.
The pipe was damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle. Silt build-up around the discharge ports and excess pressure from high pumping rates resulted in a crack forming, meaning 8m of the pipe neededto be replaced.
The section of the beach has been closed to the public, and concrete blocks put along the shoreline, while treated wastewater is discharged into shallow water. People have been advised to stay away from the sea for five days after the discharge stops, putting a halt to swimming, surfing and gathering shellfish during that time.
The work to clear Midway Beach of slash and woody debris is also going on.
