Third water outage frustrates residents
Another burst main on Matamata’s Tower Rd is causing more frustration for business residents and council as they try to come to grips for the reasons why.
It is the third interruption to the water supply in the same vicinity of the road.
Matamata-Piako District Council staff have no explanation as to the reason why the burst occurred.
The council has launched another investigation to get to the bottom of the problem.
The first breakage occurred on May 12 with the second just weeks later in on June 12, with service restored the same day.
The council’s chief executive Don McLeod said staff want to understand what exactly has failed and why.
‘‘... so that we can reduce the risk of future breaks in the area.’’
McLeod admitted the council was unsure of the cause of the failures. He said the results of testing were still to be determined.
‘‘While we have been waiting on those results we have been testing pressure valves and found them to be functioning correctly.’’
However it’s cold comfort to the 25 residential properties and business in Tower Rd who have been effected by the breakages.
Tower Motel owner Karen O’Hanlon wasn’t prepared to com- ment on the impact the disruptions had on her accommodation business.
But said she had spoken with mayor Jan Barnes about finding a solution to the ongoing problem.
Water contractors have cut a sample of pipe from the main for further testing.
Previous tests of the water main have indicated that the pipe is in good condition. The latest investigation is to see whether the break was a result of some other factor.
This time around the testing includes measurement of wall thickness, an examination of pipe stress cracking, and pressure testing.
The cost to the council remediation is unknown.
‘‘Once council establishs the facts we will be in touch with those who were affected,’’ McLeod said. of