Kepa Road wastewater system improvements

  • Project typeWastewater system repairs
A photo of pipes coming out of a manhole.

The wastewater system in the Kepa Road area in Ruakākā carries wastewater from several locations to a pumping station on Sime Road. 

From there, the wastewater is pumped to the Ruakākā Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Since December 2023, sections of this wastewater system have failed. 

Following investigations, the decision has been made to repair the faulty parts of the gravity wastewater pipeline and replace faulty manholes in the area.

Timeline of issues

In December 2023, an issue with one of the wastewater pipelines at Kepa Road in Bream Bay was brought to our attention. A temporary pump diversion was put in place until a full assessment could take place.

During January 2024, a proposal to replace the pipeline was proposed and implemented.

In March 2024, a tomo (sink hole) appeared in the ground in a commercial area further down the existing pipeline from Kepa Road. 

While investigating this, it was discovered that the wastewater pipeline in the area was in poor condition (the pipes are concrete and have been in use since the 1970s) and works began to rectify this. 

An additional bypass pump diversion was put in place.

In May 2024, there were several more spills.

The public health risk is considered to be low. 

What we are doing

We are:

  • keeping the area clean
  • putting up signs to alert people to the spillage
  • keeping a back-up pump on-site to help bypass the problem area when needed 
  • door knocking in the area to let people know there has been an issue and that we are working on repairing it
  • keeping the Northland Regional Council notified of the spills
  • staying in touch with the District Health Board
  • monitoring flow levels in parts of the wastewater system
  • going to replace the concrete pipeline with a polyethylene pipeline.

What we want you to do

Stay away from the immediate area if you do not need to go there.

Contact us if you have any concerns.

Contact us

Location

Kepa Road, Ruakākā 0171  View Map

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