Emergency sewer overflow proposed

Press, 18 February 1980, Page 6

Emergency sewer overflow proposed

Many Hoon Hay sewage overflow and flooding problems will not be solved until improvements are completed downstream in the Heathcote River catchment, Christchurch Drainage Board members have said.; But members of the board’s works committee said that an emergency sewer overflow- in Kevin Street might ease problems for some parts of that neighbourhood. Since sewers were installed in the suburb, there has been “severe sewer gorging” and problems associated with a very high groundwater level. Even an overflow system — if a discharge right is ap-

proved-by the Regional Water Board — would wprk only after stormwater flooding had subsided, said a staff report.

Under the present ’ system, sewage discharges can continue for some days even after flooding has stopped. The overflow would allow it to be discharged into the stormwater system during emergencies. The board realised that more stormwater capacity was needed for the; Kevin Street and Dalkeith Street area, but no effective action to relieve flooding could be taken until a. comprehensive flood-relief plan was made for Hoon Hay.