Wycola Sewerage Scheme Problems

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28728, 28 October 1958, Page 18

Wycola Sewerage Scheme Problems

After prolonged negotiation, the Christchurch" Drainage Board has suggested that the Housing Division of the Ministry of Works should take over the Wycola sewerage scheme—but the Ministry does not like the idea.

The board has offered to pay to the division the amount in sewerage maintenance rates collected each year, but reserves the right to collect and retain loan rates as determined at future dates. This is the board’s reply to two proposals put forward by the division. The Wycola subdivision was to have been a State housing block, but late in 1954 the Government introduced the group housing scheme and sold sections to private builders. Today only 125 or one-fifth—of the houses are State-owned. In an effort to provide city facilities the division built the sewage disposal scheme, something it does not ordinarily do, and if the subdivision had remained a State block all would have been well. But now the division has been left with a £9SOC sewerage scheme—costing several hundred pounds a year to run—and an income cut by fourfifths. Difficulties with the disposal of effluent led the division to install a new shallow system of drains at No. 2 tank which, with a pump, will cost another £2200. It is proposed to do the same with the No. 1 tank, at an estimated cost of £3OOO. £15,000 Scheme Thus, when it is completed, the division will have spent nearly £15,000 on the scheme. Last week the drainage board chairman (Mr C. A. G. Connab outlined the history of the project in a report to the board. “Originally in June, 1954. the board suggested a maintenance rate of £2 a house, with a minimum of £360 a year when taking over the maintenance.” Mr Connal said. “However, the block was brought into the rating area for sewer maintenance on April 1. 1956. The sewer maintenance rate over the area for 1958-59 amounts to £l3lB plus a further £52 from the State Electricity Department in respect of its houses, which are exempt from rating but which pay a charge of £2 a house. “The direct cost to the board of maintaining the system last year was approximately £BOO ” Two proposals were put forward by the division:

That the board assume full control of both tanks and effluent lines, in the meantime the division to carry out further extension to the effluent lines as already planned. That the, division assume full control of both tanks and effluent lines, maintenance expenditure to be reimbursed from rates struck by the board. Neither of these suggestions was entirely satisfactory to the board, which has now proposed a five-point plan: That the housing division be requested to assume responsibility for the maintenance of the sewers, septic tanks and effluent lines and carry out any necessary capital work required for the efficient functioning of. the system. That the board remit to the division at the end of each rating year the amount of sewer maintenance rate collected over the area for that year including charges paid to the board by the State Electricity Department. That the board reserve the right to collect and retain loan rates in due course as the area is brought into the various loan rating areas. That regular flushing of the reticulation system be carried out by the division to the board’s satisfaction. That the foregoing be embodied in an agreement drawn up by the board’s solicitor ensuring that the board’s rights are fully protected. “That’s not quite exactly what we were after—we would much rather the board took the whole thing over, but we will consider it,” said the Housing Division superintendent (Mr H. ,S. Sherbrooke), when he learnt of the board’s proposals.