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Sewage overflows and road closures after heavy rain

Local News
PUBLISHED: 16 NOV 2020
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Update: 16 December 2020 9:30am

All affected roads have been reopened. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Update: 11 December 2020 1pm

Roads:

  • Our crews are still out assessing roads and cleaning up after this week’s heavy rain and we apologise for any inconvenience.
  • Okoki Road remains closed past the Piko Road intersection.
  • Mimi Road is still closed.
  • Some roads are still down to one lane.
  • All other roads are open but motorists are asked to drive carefully.
  • For more information head to: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic 
Update: 10 December 2020 1pm

Sewage overflows:

  • Heavy rainfall last night has resulted in high flows into our historical stormwater and wastewater networks.
  • Stormwater and wastewater has been discharged out of the Waitara outfall to the Tasman Sea after the rain overwhelmed the town’s pump stations.
  • We regret having to do this but the volume of rainfall was greater than the capacity of the town’s systems.
  • We apologise and have been in touch with iwi and hapū, the TRC, TDHB and recreational groups.
  • The high rainfall has also caused an issue at the New Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant meaning the quality of our treated water isn’t up to the usual standard.
  • Warning signs regarding swimming and food gathering are being put up at both Waitara and Waiwhakaiho.
  • Please follow the warning signs and do not collect kai from affected waterways for 28 days and don’t swim in affected areas for two days.
  • Investment in our ageing water network is a key area to consider when the Mayor and Councillors shape our next 10-Year Plan, helping ensure our water networks are able to handle severe weather.

Roads:

  • The severe weather, which saw more than 100mm of rain fall in Uruti, has eased.
  • Waka Kotahi/NZTA has reopened SH3 at Uruti. A single lane is open. 
  • Okoki Road remains closed past the Piko Road intersection.
  • All other roads are open but motorists are asked to drive carefully.
  • Our crews are still on site cleaning up and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closures.
  • For more information head to: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic 
  • 10 December 2020 9am
  • The severe weather has eased but roads remain closed in North Taranaki this morning.
  • Waka Kotahi/NZTA has closed SH3 at Uruti due to a slip. Further assessment of the cliff-face is taking place this morning.
  • Uruti, Kaka and Okoki roads are still closed with crews attending to floods and slips. We will update these closures as work progresses.
  • Piko and Matapo roads are passable but crews are clearing slips. If you must use these roads, please use extreme care.
  • Crews are attending to slips and flooding on Tarata Road.
  • Mimi Road has reopened after a fallen tree was cleared.
  • We apologise for any inconvenience this work causes and will have the roads reopened as soon as possible.
  • For more information head to: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic 

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Page last updated: 03:43pm Wed 04 August 2021

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