In a bid to “put to bed this issue for the community”, independent engineering advice will be sought regarding the ongoing issues that result in some properties on Masterton’s Cockburn St and Colombo Rd being flooded with wastewater during very heavy rainfalls, Masterton District Council [MDC] chief executive Kym Fell has confirmed.
Although Fell has expressed confidence that the MDC “has come up with a workable solution to the issues properties are facing” that “will provide a suitable medium-term solution”, he has also signalled his intention to tap independent experts to confirm the steps the council has taken so far and “check if there is more we could do to ensure that we are mitigating issues in the medium term while we continue our long-term programme of wastewater renewals”.
To this end, an engineering firm has been approached for advice about the medium-term fix, as well as regarding what future investment is necessary to provide a long-term solution that strengthens the district’s wastewater network and prevents groundwater from infiltrating the network during periods of heavy rain.
An MDC statement indicates the council has “installed medium-term solutions” – including non-return valves and holding tanks for household wastewater – “in 17 properties in the Cockburn St and Colombo Rd area, with discussions underway with neighbouring properties to address any issues they may have faced”.
