Published 25/07/2021
Media release: Burst wastewater main Paremata update
Update Sunday 25 July, 9pm
Our crews have completed the repair to the burst wastewater main between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata.
While the repair has been successful and has enabled us to begin reusing the main, our investigations have shown that it remains in a very poor condition. We are continuing to investigate the extent of this while exploring options for a permanent replacement or repair.
As the bursts caused wastewater to overflow, on Saturday 24 July, a rāhui (ritual prohibition) was put in place by Ngāti Toa, banning the taking of shellfish or fish in and around Porirua harbour. It will be in place for two weeks.
State Highway One, northbound, will remain reduced to one lane while work to clear the site continues. Traffic management will be in place, off peak, while we do this. Some car parks at the end of Station Road, by the service station, will also be coned off while pumps remain on site, as a contingency. Please avoid the area if possible.
Further information on recreational water quality is available at lawa.org.nz.
We’d like to thank the public for their continued patience while we work to fix this issue.
Update Saturday 24 July, 12.15pm
Our crews are continuing to work on a repair to the burst wastewater main between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata.
State Highway One, northbound, will be reduced to one lane over the weekend while work continues.
Traffic management is in place and we encourage the public to avoid the area if possible.
We ask members of the public to avoid contact with water in the area and to not gather shellfish in the area. Health warning signs are in place.
Further information on recreational water quality is available at lawa.org.nz.
We’d like to thank the public for their continued patience while we work to fix this issue.
Media contact: media@wellingtonwater.co.nz or 021 302 259
Update Friday 23 July, 4pm
Work to repair the wastewater main between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata is continuing.
One lane of State Highway One, northbound, remains closed and traffic management is in place.
Due to the complex nature of the repair, there may be some additional overflow this evening. We are working to minimise this.
Our crews will remain onsite to monitor the situation.
The latest advice on recreational water quality can be found at lawa.org.nz
We would like to thank members of the public for their patience.
Update Friday 23 July, 9.57am
Our crews are making further repairs this morning to the burst wastewater main on State Highway 1, northbound, between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata.
To reduce potential wastewater overflow, we ask residents in Whitby, Paremata, Plimmerton, Pukerua Bay, and in the northern parts of Papakowhai to minimise water use as much as possible.
We are making all efforts to contain wastewater, but due to last night’s heavy rain there has been some overflow into the harbour.
Due to the complexity of the repair, and fragile nature of the pipeline, we expect there to be some additional overflow today. We are working to minimise this as much as possible.
Traffic management is in place and we encourage members of the public to avoid the area.
We also advise people to avoid contact with coastal water and to not gather shellfish in the area.
The latest advice on recreational water quality can be found at lawa.org.nz
We would like to thank members of the public for their patience.
Update Thursday 22 July, 7.45pm
We are currently responding to a burst wastewater main on State Highway One, northbound, between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata.
Traffic management is in place and we encourage members of the public to avoid the area if possible.
This pipeline previously burst last Saturday and a repair was carried out on Sunday evening.
Despite the repair, our investigations showed the pipeline was in a fragile condition, and this evening’s heavy rainfall has caused a further failure.
Some wastewater is overflowing into the harbour and work is underway to minimise this overflow.
Our crews will be preparing throughout the night to undertake a further repair in the morning.
We advise members of the public to avoid contact with coastal water in the area.
Update Tuesday 20 July, 4.45pm
Last weekend’s severe weather event caused widespread overflows throughout the region.
On Saturday morning, our crews responded to a burst wastewater main between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata. During the repair of the pipeline on Sunday evening there was some additional overflow. Our investigations also show the pipe remains in a fragile condition, despite the repair.
To alleviate pressure on the pipe we used an existing, unused, pipeline across the Porirua Harbour. Unfortunately, the pipeline was found to have a fault and some wastewater spilled in the northwest area of Onepoto, opposite Papakowhai, affecting the walkway and immediate area.
The pipeline was taken offline when the overflow was discovered and the walkway has been temporarily closed.
Daily water quality testing is continuing, and we encourage members of the public to avoid swimming in the area until further notice.
The latest advice on recreational water quality can be found at lawa.org.nz
Update Monday 19 July, 3.15pm
Our crews have now completed the repair of the wastewater main between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata, 200 metres north of Aotea lagoon.
The two north bound lanes on State Highway One are expected to be open by 3.30pm and we would like to thank members of the public for their patience.
Despite the repair, our investigations have shown the pipe remains in a fragile condition.
Our crews will be monitoring the site in the coming days and additional work in the area will continue.
Update Monday 19 July, 12pm
Our crews remain onsite today following Saturday morning’s burst wastewater main between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata, 200 metres north of Aotea lagoon.
During the repair of the of the wastewater main overnight, further investigation has shown the issue is more complex and further urgent work is needed.
The pipe remains in a fragile condition and the weather has contributed to the challenges around this work.
Our crews are expected to remain on site for the rest of the day and additional work in the area will continue.
We’re working hard to restore SH1 north bound to two lanes for this afternoon’s traffic and would like to thank members of the public for their patience.
Update Sunday 18 July, 4.30pm
Our crews have been onsite all day working on a permanent repair to the burst wastewater main between the Aotea turnoff and Paremata, 200 metres north of Aotea lagoon.
“We hope to have the failed section of pipe replaced by tonight, depending on the weather” says Sam Lister Wellington Water’s Manager Customer Planning.
“This involves digging a trench in the SH1 median strip, removing the damaged section, and replacing it with a new pipe.
“We’re working hard to restore SH1 north bound back to two lanes and while we’re expecting to be able to complete the repair today, we’re going to need to revisit the site to complete some tidy up work. This will be carried out in the next week and during off peak traffic.
As the burst has caused wastewater to overflow, Wellington Water has started sampling water around Porirua Harbour. This will continue for 48 hours after the overflow has stopped.
“We would like to remind people to avoid swimming in the Porirua harbour or gathering shellfish as a no swimming notice remains in place.
Traffic is currently running smoothly in the affected area of SH1; however, people should still use alternative routes or delay travelling if possible.
“The weather event has put considerable pressure on our crews across the region, with many calls coming in that we have needed to respond to. Because of this, there may be some delays in responding to lower priority jobs.
“We’d like to thank the public for their continued patience while we work to fix this issue.”