Drain View Limited has been engaged by the Whakatāne District Council to carry out an investigation of a small section of the wastewater network in the White Horse and Melville Drive area. This affects properties south of Gorge Road only. This will involve the use of a jet cleaner and CCTV camera equipment inside the wastewater pipe network.

The works are expected to start on Monday, 18 May, and may continue for four weeks depending on conditions found.

During the jet cleaning process, the change in air pressure may cause the water in toilet bowls to bubble, or in rare situations, blow the water from the bowl. Because toilets have a water seal, it is only the water in the bowl that can be affected. To prevent a water blow-out occurring, residents in the area are asked to take the following precautionary action:

On the date(s) in your notification letter stating when works will occur, place an old towel over your toilet seat(s) when not in use, then close the lid and put something heavy on top to hold the lid down.

Because of the potential for weather delays or pipeline issues, we cannot give an exact timing for when the work is being carried out.

As part of this work we may need to access manholes on private property. If you have a sewer manhole on your property, and have a dog that may be upset or react threateningly to the inspection staff, please call Steve Drake on 0800 566 599 so that arrangements for safe access can be made.

The Council thanks residents for their co-operation with this essential work programme, which will help ensure high maintenance standards for the Council’s wastewater network.

A map of the affected area is included below. Any properties in the affected area will receive notification that the works will take place.

White Horse and Melville Drive area wastewater inspections map - (PDF, 3.3 MB)