Storm damage keeps crews busy

It was another busy week on our network, with crews continuing to attend to storm damage. The storm of 10 June was four times the size of Cyclone Ita and the damage to the network was extensive, taking some days to repair. Cyclone Ita took out 22,000 customers; this storm took out 90,000 customers.

Arborists have suggested the storm was particularly damaging because of the amount of rainfall in the preceding days. This meant the water table was high and there was a lot of moisture in the ground, reducing the ability of tree root systems to deal with the gale force winds.

Vector crews will continue to carry out a remedial work programme on the hot water pilot system.

NETWORK SUMMARY for week ending 22 June 2014

ELECTRICITY

Emergency services reported that trees were touching power lines in Manurewa during the week. They also alerted us to a sparking pole in Massey. These sites were made safe with assets referred to supervisors.

There were four car v. pole incidents during the week, in Albany, Papakura, Hillsborough and Te Atatu. No customers were affected, and our contractors completed the necessary repairs to the network.

Lines down were reported in Dairy Flat during the week. In Sandringham, a truck brought down service lines to a block of flats.

Our control room isolated power to house/building fires in Birkdale, Mt Eden, Mangere, Greenlane, Papakura, Milford and Massey during the week.
PROJECTS

We recently finished a gas network rehabilitation project in Attlee Place, Gisborne. This upgrade will ensure the area has a continued, reliable gas supply.

SHORTS

• Vector owns over 17,900 kilometres of overhead and underground lines in the greater Auckland area, and 12,752 of gas pipe lines, almost half of which supply gas to Auckland.

• Vector, proud sponsor of the Arena.

ends

© Scoop Media