Lake front update
Extra contractors and equipment are now in place to work on repairing the broken water and wastewater pipes on the lake front in Taupō.
The burst wastewater pipe remains sealed and wastewater is being pumped around the break at the bottom of Tongariro Street so it can carry on to the wastewater treatment plant. Repairs to the wastewater main began this morning and we expect the wastewater main to be fully connected and back in operation within three weeks. This job involves some repositioning of the main away from the immediate waterfront. The road closure on Tongariro St has now been shifted south to allow greater vehicle access and parking by the shops on the lake front. The lake front continues to be closed from the intersection with Ruapehu Street but businesses are still open and operating as usual.
We also expect the clean-up of the contaminated beachfront to begin either this weekend or on Monday. The council is working closely with Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board and Waikato Regional Council on the most efficient methodology to clean the beachfront spill site and lake floor in that area.
We are grateful for the cooperation of residents and visitors in being mindful of water use. We continue to ask that people not flush toilets or use water any more than is necessary, so that pressure on the pumps and temporary pipes around the broken wastewater main can be minimised. Water quality in Lake Taupo and the Waikato River continues to be monitored.
The water treatment plant remains unaffected by the event and the water meets all health standards. Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board’s rahui around the spill site from Tapuaeharuru Bay to Aratiatia on the Waikato River remains in place and we are asking the community to respect this. The rahui also restricts public access to the spill site. The tourism businesses on the lake front and down the Waikato River remain open for business but are modifying their offerings where necessary to take account of the rahui.
The wastewater spill began on Tuesday at about 3pm when the water main burst. This ate away at the soil supporting the wastewater main which then broke. We don’t yet know why the water main burst. The broken pipes will be recovered from the spill site and tested, and the cause of the breakage investigated.
Top tips for water saving:
- Toilet flushing – if it’s yellow, let if mellow. Flush during off-peak periods.
- Showers, baths – Take a short shower.
- Laundry – Minimise if possible or do off-peak.
- Dish washing – Minimise water use. Wash dishes in a bucket if possible and dispose of grey water in the garden if you can.
Peak times to try and reduce water use are between 6am and 9am and 3.30pm and 9pm.