Raugataua Sewerage problems to be aired

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 384, 30 April 1991, Page 3

Raugataua Sewerage problems to be aired

Problems with the Rangataua Sewerage System and how to overcome them will be discussed at the Waimarino Community Board meeting this Thursday. Also on the agenda is a presentation from Turoa managing director Angus Grimwade regarding the Turoa Village golf course and tennis courts, the Raetihi Croquet Green, the Horopito School Building and Domain lease, the lease of the Ohakune Camp Ground, and suggested utilisation of the Ruatiti Domain. General business is likely to cover a wide range of topics, judging by all past WCB meetings where this section has taken longer to get through than the main part of the meeting. In a report to the WCB the general manager of the Ruapehu District Council, Cliff Houston outlines the problems and work to remedy them that have occurred in the Rangataua Sewerage system. He said in his summary that the system was an appropriate design but that it was constructed in "very difficult conditions". He said

sand infiltration mainly from defective manholes was to blame for the problems together with the breakdown of the pumping station. "The system is however repairable and it is believed that long term performance can be achieved," he states. In the report to the WCB and council he said "It is understood there was a lot of argument between the contractor

and the consultant over using wet excavated material as backfill. Many problems existed in holding constant grades." The report outlines many other problems experienced during and after construction, mainly in the job of installing manholes and keeping gradients constant. Some gravity lines were installed over rock mounds, the report said.