Tender awarded for separation of stormwater and wastewater services on private property
Buller District Council’s ‘DrainRight’ programme, covering the separation of stormwater and wastewater services on private property is moving forward, with the Stage 1 contract awarded to Northern Buller-based company Wastewater Concepts Ltd. Physical works are due to begin in January 2027.
The DrainRight programme addresses the need to reduce the volume of stormwater entering Westport’s wastewater network over the next 10 years. Many private properties in Westport currently discharge rainwater (from roofs and paved areas) directly into the wastewater (sewer) system, instead of into appropriate stormwater outlets.
This overloads the wastewater system in moderate and severe weather events, causing sewerage to overflow onto the ground and into our waterways and rivers.
Council has committed to a targeted private separation program aimed at removing these cross-connections to achieve a significant reduction in the number and size of overflows.
Initial property inspections have been carried out in the first two catchments – Roebuck Street and Orowaiti – with residents in the Orowaiti Pump Station 4 catchment recently informed by letter of any cross-connections found, and details of the corrective works required on their property.
The next step is for a visit to each of the affected properties be arranged in early November, so representatives from council, the certified drainlayer and the property owner can discuss the work needed to redirect stormwater away from the wastewater system, talk through how the work will be carried out, and answer any questions about the process. Owner consent will be obtained before any work begins.
The first physical works will begin in the Orowaiti Pump Station 4 catchment in January. This area has been prioritised due its high overflow risk. Once this work is underway, the programme will move into the Roebuck Street catchment.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “We understand there may be a degree of inconvenience while any cross-connections are fixed, but the works will be beneficial improvements to the properties concerned, provided at no cost to the homeowner.
“Residents can be assured council is committed to meeting its resource consent obligations and supporting impacted residents throughout this process.”
Wastewater Concepts was selected for this work through an open competitive tender assessing capability, health and safety, quality, experience working on private property, local benefit and price.
“We thank residents for their cooperation as we go about the inspection process and associated remedial works. Property owners and residents will be kept informed regarding what to expect while work is underway on both private property and adjacent footpaths.
“The DrainRight programme is a positive investment in Westport’s wastewater network and the environment. Once works are completed in these two initial catchments, the programme will be progressively extended to the other catchments across town” concludes Mr Blom.
If residents who receive an inspection letter have any questions about the process involved, they can email drainright@bdc.govt.nz.
Background information:
While Westport’s wastewater system and treatment plant work well in dry weather, medium and heavy rain events overwhelm the system, causing wastewater to overflow into the Buller and Orowaiti Rivers and often onto backyards and streets. This has causes overflows into the environment and reduces the performance of the Westport Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The resource consent that previously allowed these overflows has now expired and to renew the consent, the West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) requires BDC to commit to a programme to reduce the volume of stormwater in our wastewater network over the next 10 years.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz
Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.