Essential maintenance work on the wastewater system in the north-western area of Whakatāne over the next week will require residents to take action to ensure any pressurisation of sewer lines does not result in water being expelled from their toilet bowls.

The work will involve most of the sewer lines west of McGarvey Road and north of Landing Road, plus Apanui Avenue. Residents in the areas concerned will have received letters advising them of the project timing. A further letter advising the action to be taken will be distributed before the work begins.

The project involves CCTV inspections of the sewers, which will provide valuable information about the network and any work required to maintain it in the best possible condition. As part of that process, jet cleaning will be undertaken and, in rare situations, the resulting change in air pressure could result in water being blown from toilet bowls. To avoid that possibility, householders are advised to place a towel over toilet seats when they are not in use, put the lid down and place a heavy object on top.

Sewer inspections will begin on Monday, 9 March and continue until Friday, 17 April. Because the work is weather-dependent and progress could be affected by pipeline issues, it’s not possible to provide accurate advice about when individual lines will be affected. Residents are therefore advised to take precautionary action for the time they are advised that work will be undertaken in their area.

A downloadable map of the affected areas is available below. It shows the affected areas, numbered in order of when the work will be undertaken in each area. Residents will be informed via letter of the date or dates work will take place within their area two days before works are undertaken.

• Wastewater inspection areas map - (PDF, 3.9 MB)

Anyone seeking further information is asked to contact the Whakatāne District Council on 07 306 0500.