Wastewater Update - 31 August 2011 - Public sewer clearing complete.
Sewer clearing and temporary solutions have restored sewer services in all Christchurch streets. This means the majority of people who were using chemical or portable toilets after the 22 February and 13 June earthquakes are now able to flush their household toilets.
Christchurch City Council set a target of returning sewer services to all homes by the end of August and contractors have been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week since early March to achieve this goal. Work has been completed on all public sewer pipes, however as at 31 August there are still around 800 houses with damage to their private sewer pipes which needs to be addressed before full service is returned. Contractors have completed 500 such repairs to date and are working with EQC to get these completed as soon as possible. Portable toilets will remain on city streets where they are still needed.
More information
Wastewater Update - 11 August 2011
The clearing of sewers of silt and sand in worst-affected suburbs is continuing. Good progress had been made over past months, with more than 20,000 homes in the chemical toilet distribution area told they could stop using chemical and portable toilets. However, the earthquakes on 13 June have caused significant set-backs in the process.
Christchurch City Council water and waste teams and contractors continue to work tirelessly through the evenings and weekends to get the system back up and running. Each week thousands of households are being told they can start using their household toilets again, with information flyers delivered directly to their letterboxes.
View the map (link below) of the chemical toilet distribution area to see whether you should continue using your chemical toilet. Residents will receive an information flyer in their letterbox once the sewers in their street have been cleared and they can start using their household toilet again. All other residents within the chemical toilet zone are asked to continue using their chemical toilet or portable toilet until they are informed otherwise.
This map shows the Chemical Toilet status as at 11 August 2011.
Wastewater Update 14 July 2011 - Mains pressure and wastewater overflows
14 July 2011 - Pressure Main Status and Wastewater Overflows [PDF 2MB]
This map shows the location and length of major pressure sewer replacements needed in the city. Replacement of broken pressure mains is critical to getting all sewerage back to the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment and discharge via the Ocean Outfall pipeline. It also shows the location and volume of wastewater overflows being released into waterways at 14 July 2011.
Work on the replacement of the pressure mains is expected to be completed by 31 August, and this will help significantly reduce the volume of overflows into city waterways.
For health reasons, residents are advised to keep away from contaminated city waterways and signage has been installed on beaches and around rivers and the estuary advertising public health warnings.
Q. What is the status with the Bromley plant?
A. The Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant is operational. Ocean outfall is currently working on emergency generators and we are working with Orion to get mains back on to this today. The treatment process is functional but we received more damage to tanks. These are being repaired and the plant is coping with the flow and loads reaching the site.
There is limited additional damage to wastewater pipes in the eastern suburbs but many of the wastewater lines that were cleared of sand and silt from Feb 22 are likely to have refilled. We will have a better picture of this situation by end of today (Thursday)
Repair teams are working to fix two additional wastewater pump stations in the eastern suburbs.
We ask anyone who has a chemical toilet to please use it and if you have a port-a-loo close to you please use it also.
Q. How people not affected can support those who are affected?
A.
- Do not water your garden
- Use a bucket to wash your car
- Flush the toilet sparingly – mellow yellow policy
- Have quick showers, not baths
- Only use the washing machine for full loads
- Don’t leave taps running
- Don’t use your kitchen waste disposal unit – put it in your green bin
Q. Where are the waste issues?
A. All the city’s transfer stations are operational. The compost Plant and material recovery facility are operational. All kerbside services are being undertaken as per normal collections although in some streets we are asking residents to move bins to the ends of streets due to road damage.
Kate valley landfill is operational with no damage. Liquefaction silt will be trucked to the old Burwood Landfill site to the area set up for this operation after February 22 earthquake.
Stormwater
CCC is keeping a very close eye on the stopbanks on the Avon. The stopbanks in some sections of the lower avon have sunk and emergency works are underway to ensure they are rebuilt higher enough to protect against tides. Surveys are underway on the rivers again to check the rivers carrying capacity.
Some waterways and drains have filled with silt again and repair crews are handling these in a priority order.
High pressure jetting trucks are working on clearing high priority lines and all stormwater pump stations are being checked for damage and to ensure they are operational.
Wastewater system status - 3 June 2011
3 June 2011 - Wastewater System Update [PDF 6.03MB]
This map shows the status of the city's earthquake-damaged sewer network. It shows where the most significant damage is and gives residents an idea of how much underground work is required in their neighbourhood.
It also shows the chemical toilet distribution area - within the boundaries of which residents have been required to use chemical or portable toilets since February - and also indicates which properties within that area have been told they can start using their household toilet again in recent weeks.
Wastewater status updates - 22 February and after
The city’s water and waste networks suffered extensive damage as a result of the 22 February earthquake.
The maps provided here give an overview of some of the key issues and repair work facing the city. They will be regularly updated so that residents can get an overview of the work and see how it is progressing in their communities.
Wastewater tanks for chemical toilet waste map - as at May 2011 [PDF 600KB]
* Given the fragile state of the city’s sewerage system, all residents are advised to continue to minimise their wastewater and to flush their toilets sparingly.
Banks Peninsula Storm Water FAQS
Now is the time to check stormwater drainage on your property.
Throughout the year, an unchecked stormwater system can quickly lead to serious problems.
To ensure the land retains its strength, particularly within residential areas of Banks Peninsula, adequate maintenance of stormwater drainage around your property is required.
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been developed to ensure you can identify any stormwater drainage issues on your property, local roads or within your community and effectively rectify these issues before they become serious and/or costly problems.
1. What are the most common issues caused by uncontrolled stormwater?
Common issues caused by stormwater include:
- Flooding
- Soil erosion
- Slips
- Under-runners (when water soaks into the ground and over time creates a tunnel beneath the earth’s surface. These tunnels can collapse causing damage to driveways and roads)
- Silt entering the streams and harbour
2. What areas on my property are likely to be affected by stormwater? What should I check?
Stormwater run-off on residential properties can be a problem on modified areas such as driveways, roofs, patios and sealed areas (any area that increases the flow of stormwater).
It is important to check the following key areas for blockages caused by leaves or natural build-up, and to ensure all stormwater drainage systems are clear and working properly.
- Guttering
- Downpipes
- Rainwater tanks
- Driveways and other sealed areas
Other areas you may need to check include:
- Irrigation systems (if you have an irrigation system on your property make sure it isn’t over-watering your garden. Conserve water and reduce run-off by only using what your garden needs)
- Swimming pools (make sure there are no cracks or leaks)
- On-site sewer systems (these need to be maintained to avoid ground soakage leading to contamination of streams and erosion issues such as under-runners)
3. I no longer live on my property because it is red stickered due to the earthquakes – do I still need to check my property for drainage issues?
Even if your home is red stickered, it is your responsibility to keep checking your property for drainage blockages caused by leaves or natural build-up. This is also important for those who have baches or holiday homes in Banks Peninsula, who may not visit their properties for long periods of time during the year.
4. If I find a serious drainage problem on my property, what should I do?
If you have a serious drainage problem on your property, it is important that you contact your local plumber or drainlayer for assistance as soon as possible. If the problem is too serious to be rectified by your local trades professional, and it is affecting neighbouring properties or roads, please call the Council call centre on (03) 941 8999 for advice.
5. Why is it important to control stormwater on my property? Are there any exceptions?
Stormwater run-off from modified areas on your property must be controlled and disposed of in such a way so that it does not affect neighbouring properties.
Natural run-off from vegetated areas such as lawns and gardens is acceptable providing there are no features that increase the flow of water on modified areas of neighbouring properties.
6. Where should the stormwater go?
Any water contained within your property’s private stormwater drainage system should be discharged to one of the following:
- Roadside channel or gutter
- Council stormwater pipe
- Natural waterway
- An approved outlet such as a retention basin
As a general rule, all stormwater discharges (including tank overflows) require the approval of Environment Canterbury unless they are discharging to a City Council-approved outlet.
7. Who should I contact if I notice a drainage problem in my community - on the road for example?
If you find a drainage problem in your community, please report the issue to the Council by contacting the call centre on (03) 941 8999 .
