Planned Shutdown of Outram Water Supply

Dunedin (23 January 2015) – A shutdown of the Outram water supply has been scheduled for Thursday, 29 January to connect a new watermain to the existing network.

The shutdown is part of the Dunedin City Council’s work on improving the Outram water supply network to replace aging pipes, increase capacity and provide sufficient water for fire-fighting. As a result, new watermains have been installed in Holyhead Street and Formby Street and are being installed in Mountfort Street and near the water reservoir located in the Taieri Historical Park.

The watermains in Holyhead Street and Formby Street are completed and have been pressure tested, disinfected and connected to the network. Most of the new pipeline and associated fittings have been installed on Mountfort Street and near the reservoir.

“Once this watermain is successfully tested we will need to shut down the water supply to the whole Outram township while the old watermain is decommissioned and the new one is connected,” says DCC Asset and Commercial Manager, Tom Osborn.

All properties supplied with water by the DCC from the Outram Reservoir will be affected by the shutdown, which is expected to take place from 9am-4.30pm. However, the water may come back on before the 4.30pm deadline.

“We have planned the shutdown to happen before school goes back to limit the disruption to the community,” says Mr Osborn.

“We are asking people to store water before the shutdown to use during the day and our contractor will also supply one tanker for emergency drinking water. This will be located near the corner of Holyhead Street and Hoylake Street.”

The scheduled date could be subject to change due to weather conditions or pressure testing issues. The community will be informed of any changes via the DCC website, in our public notices and at the Outram petrol station and convenience store located on Holyhead Street.

“Once the water supply is reconnected we advise people to run their taps for a few minutes just to clear any air from the system,” says Mr Osborn.

Please see www.dunedin.govt.nz/outram-water-outage for further details.

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