The new sewer pipe is being installed on Lake Terrace as part of the repairs following the washout that occurred on July 2.
Chief executive Gareth Green said the new pipe had been installed much further back from the lake than the previous pipe, and contractors had made great progress installing this major piece of infrastructure in a very short time.
“The connection of the new sewer line means we will no longer be pumping wastewater around the washout site and that is really a milestone for this rebuild. That pumping has added greatly to the difficulty of this project and taking it out of the equation will be a huge relief to all involved. But we need the community’s help to get this over the line. From midday on Tuesday July 23 to midday Wednesday 24 July we need to reduce the amount of wastewater entering the system so that the guys on the ground can get stuck in with the work overnight,” he said.
Mr Green said Taupō residents are asked to assist by refraining from using washing machines, baths and dishwashers, and by taking showers and flushing toilets only when necessary from midday on Tuesday July 23 to midday Wednesday 24 July.
“The community has been doing a great job over the last two weeks, and we’re nearly there, but we really need people to help us get through this key phase by reducing their water use as much as possible. The contractors on the work site have been putting in the hard yards, so this is our chance to make things a bit easier for them,” he said.