Surf break off limits during repair work

Big Surf at Pipe

Surfers have been told to stay out of the water because Gisborne District Council plans to discharge treated wastewater on a section of Midway Beach’s The Pipe break next Wednesday.

The council will also have to close The Pipe for four days from next Monday when concrete blocks will be placed on the shore break so the wastewater pipe can be fixed.

“The wastewater is treated to a high level as it’s been through the wastewater treatment plant. The new upgrade to the plant ensures all residential wastewater passes through the biological trickle filter, is clarified and filtered and UV-treated before it’s discharged to the outfall pipe,” a GDC Facebook statement said.

The discharge is needed because the wastewater outfall pipeline near the Adventure Playground on Centennial Marine Drive has a crack in the joint.

“This means an eight-metre section of that pipe needs to be replaced. This crack means if we have a medium-heavy rain event, the sewer valves would need to be opened.

“Night-time is the best time to carry out the repair work as the wastewater flows through the treatment plant are low.

To do this, a temporary transfer pipe will be set up to divert the wastewater from the section of outfall pipe while contractors carry out the repair.

“The temporary bypass pipe will go across the road and on to the beach.

“The discharge point will be at the shoreline and only while the repair work is being carried out.

“The area of Midway Beach near The Pipe will be closed to the public while this repair work’s being done.

“Our team explored all possible options to avoid discharging treated wastewater to the coastal environment, but unfortunately this is the only way we can repair the pipe.

“On Monday, September 25, large concrete blocks will be placed in the shore break. These will hold the temporary pipes in place.

“The concrete blocks will be marked with long poles and flags on the two outside blocks so they’re visible in high tide. There will also be signs on the beach (advising people to) “Please avoid activity in and around the concrete blocks’.

“Access will still be available for walking on the beach. The site will be monitored during the day.”

Between Wednesday and Thursday next week, the section of Midway Beach around the concrete blocks will be closed to all users from late Wednesday afternoon until Thursday evening.

“The work will take around 24 hours to replace the section of pipe, working through three low tide cycles. The contractors will work through the night.

“Pipe and concrete supports will be removed at the following low tide after the work is completed.

“The treated wastewater will be discharged into the shallow water. Even though the wastewater is treated we still advise no contact with the water for five days after the discharge has stopped. This includes surfing, swimming or shellfish gathering.

“If this work’s not able to be done on September 27 due to heavy rain then it will take place as soon as the weather allows.”

The pipe was damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused a silt build-up around the discharge ports of the outfall pipe.

“Combined with prolonged high pumping rates, this created lots more pressure on the outfall pipe.

“This resulted in a crack forming at the top of a Y section joint of the fibreglass pipe. The Y section of fibreglass pipe will be replaced with a steel pipe.

“The outfall pipe is still operating but the crack needs to be fixed.”

The council has met hapū and the medical officer of health.

New Wave Surfboards co-owner Rachael Lalla said there would be a lot of disappointed surfers.

“Particularly for the kids. A lot of people have been toughing it out all winter so it’s disappointing for them and people coming from out of

town . . .”

The NZ Scholastic Surfing Championships are being held in Gisborne at the same time as The Pipe closure but will not be affected as they are at Makorori Beach.