Picton and Waikawa sewerage upgrade in the pipeline

Work is set to begin to reduce the amount of raw sewage being discharged into Picton Harbour.

Stages two and three of a major upgrade to the town’s 85-year- old sewerage system will begin in mid-May. Contractors will be replacing main sewerage pipes and pump stations between Dublin and Ranui Streets, and building a new bypass treatment facility to treat any excess sewage that can’t be processed at Picton’s Sewage Treatment Plant.

The two stages – worth $19.45m – will service nearly 2,500 properties in Picton and Waikawa and provide capacity for population growth, Council Projects Engineer, Bruce Oliver, says.

The work is expected to take 12 months. By starting now, Mr Oliver says the council and contractors hope to minimise the impact on visitors in summer.

Contractors will begin at Dublin Street and head ‘upstream’ to a point along Waikawa Road near Ranui Street.

“Disruption to households should be minimal, and the contractors will be giving plenty of notice to residents of any work that is planned outside their properties,”

he says.

“This is a major improvement to Picton and Waikawa’s sewerage system and will greatly improve the frequency, duration and volume of sewage that overflows into
Queen Charlotte Sound,” Mr Oliver says.

“The upgrade will lead to an improvement in water quality and the local marine environment, and reduce the risk to the public’s health.”

Mr Oliver says the work follows a major upgrade to Picton and Waikawa’s new water treatment plant at Speeds Road, which has now been commissioned.

“Council has invested significantly into upgrading Picton and Waikawa’s infrastructure, and this project will help to ensure the town’s services can manage future population growth.”

ENDS.

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