More pipe repairs for Island Bay

Island Bay residents are being told to expect three months of foul odours due to maintenance work on a major sewerage pipe.

It’s another kick in the guts for a community that suffered through months of the ‘‘overpowering’’ stench of sewage after extensive damage was found in a pipe deep beneath Wellington in 2020.

Two 4-metre-deep excavations will be dug into the road at the corner of Adelaide Rd and Dover St, so crews can remove, refurbish, and reinstall valves on a large sewerage pipe.

The work, which began on Monday, will continue until early July. Traffic is not expected to be affected but residents in the area received letters warning there may be construction noise and odour.

‘‘The pipes we are opening up convey sludge so there may be odour at times, but we endeavour to minimise this. We’ll ensure the pipes are all sealed at the end of each day,’’ Wellington Water community engagement manager Anna Hughes said.

Island Bay Residents Association chair Ben Everist said residents were ‘‘fed up and frustrated’’ with the constant construction and smells.