The Tararua District Council has had to cope with significant amounts of stormwater flowing into its sewer system, assets manager Kathy Dever-Tod says.
During the storms of June 20 about 200mm of rain fell in Woodville and caused several problems at the wastewater plant in the town. A stream rosehigh enough to overflow into the No1 pond, causing silt and watercress to enter the pond. The entire system became overloaded with infiltration and the plant had to be turned off.
"The sewer reticulation system was under severe pressure causing problems," Ms Dever-Tod said. "In Woodville and Eketahuna there were significant amounts of water flowing back into our system and while we may have commercial premises squealing, we need to start putting our foot down."
Infiltration was a problem with ground water getting into manholes and pipes, with roof water from properties going into the system extreme, Tararua District councillors have been told.
"We have just completed our door-to-door infiltration survey and found 37 properties with downpipes going into the town reticulation in Woodville," Ms Dever-Tod said. "This does not include the shops on the eastern side of Vogel St."
Council chief executive Blair King said in the Ormond and Ross street areas of Woodville, water was not escaping from low-lying areas.
"This is not a fault of the council system," he said. "The solution is for respective property owners to get easements to allow the water to drain away. Property owners need to organise easements with their neighbours."
