Council responds to storm damage with network improvements

An upgrade of Kāpiti District’s stormwater network has begun, helping ensure it safely transports flood waters to the sea and other waterways into the future.

A network review was sparked by widespread damage from last year’s May/June storms, which involved several hundred service requests to follow up, including numerous on-site visits by Council staff.

An updated works programme has been developed that prioritises each issue after it has been assessed for threat to life, severity and whether it impacts on critical facilities, including hospitals and schools and transport routes such as roads, railways or bridges.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Sean Mallon, says the first part of the programme to clear streams and open drains across the district is underway.

Since February a number of drains have been machine cleaned and the aim is to clear at least 50 per cent of the drainage network before the end of June this year.

“It’s great to have this programme rolling out because Kāpiti, being located on a flat, narrow piece of land between hills on one side and the sea on the other, is prone to flooding,” Mr Mallon says.

“An effective stormwater network will transport flood waters safely to the sea and other waterways in the district such as rivers, so that the risk of damage to roads and properties is reduced.” Mr Mallon says.

A detailed investigation of capital works (upgrading and renewing parts of the network) is also going ahead. Options for each project will be identified and property owners will be given the opportunity to discuss these options.

In addition, a field survey to determine how and where each property in the district discharges stormwater is underway. Once completed, findings from the survey will help determine further areas that need work.