Cockburn Street Residents

The Times-Age followed up today’s story about another Cockburn Street resident affected by overflowing wastewater at times of high rainfall, and asked a series of questions about planned work, and new subdivisions approved in the area. The following response was provided, attributable to Acting CE David Paris.

Council staff are seeking to meet householders from three properties particularly badly affected by overflow of wastewater when the network is backed up. Staff will work through options and technical issues with the residents for an interim solution. This information will be valuable in considering options to address issues in other properties.

In terms of remedial plans, a total of $2.25 million in Better Off funding provided as part of the Three Waters Reform, as it was then called, has been allocated to wastewater improvements across Masterton, and that includes addressing leaks in the system that result in stormwater entering the system leading to overflows. This work will take place over the next three years.

Where intermittent wastewater drainage issues are caused by heavy rain events, portaloos are available to affected properties when required. Work is also carried out to clean and disinfect properties after overflows have occurred.

One new subdivision in the area has been consented with a condition limiting the number of houses that can be built before work has been carried out to ensure the wastewater system has the capacity to cope. A larger diameter wastewater pipe will be installed by the developer on the site, along with infrastructure onsite to manage stormwater.