DCC responding to wet weather event

The Dunedin City Council is reminding people not to swim or collect shellfish at the city’s beaches, or drive through surface flooding, as today’s weather event continues.

DCC City Services General Manager Scott MacLean says, “The MetService has now upgraded Dunedin to a Heavy Rain Warning – Orange, amid predictions of up to a further 30mm of rain to fall across the city.

“As a result, we’re continuing to monitor the city’s 3 Waters and roading networks – which are performing as expected – while putting a number of precautionary measures in place.”

This includes maximising pumping through the Portobello pumping station and activating an overflow at the Tahuna wastewater treatment plant, which allows partially treated and heavily diluted flows to be released into the ocean.

“These precautionary measures are helping alleviate pressure on the city’s stormwater and wastewater networks, particularly in South Dunedin, by freeing up additional capacity in both.

“We’ve also opened sandbag stations for the public in South Dunedin and Mosgiel. Self-serve sandbag stations remain open at the Dunedin Ice Stadium carpark in Victoria Rd, South Dunedin, and at Mosgiel Memorial carpark. Bags, sand and shovels are available on site, but we encourage people to come ready to fill their own bags.

“We’ve also deployed new wet weather diversion barriers in Surrey Street as a trial.”

“This new piece of kit was acquired late last year and is designed to divert wet weather overflows away from people’s properties.”

Mr MacLean says despite some localised reports of surcharging in high-risk areas of South Dunedin, including Surrey Street, the steps taken to free up network capacity appear to be working.

“Surcharging has ceased for the time being and our network appears to be coping with the rain we’re seeing, even though it has been above the levels forecasts for today.”

Opening the outfall at Lawyers Head will affect water quality, despite the partially treated and heavily diluted state of the flows, and people are advised not to swim in the ocean, or collect shellfish, for the next 24 hours.

Information about road closures is available on the DCC website.

“We’re also reminding all motorists to respect any road closures and not drive in areas with surface flooding, as this risks sending water into surrounding properties.”

Dunedin’s Civil Defence bunker is not being activated at this stage, but staff are continuing to keep a close eye on developments.

“We’ll provide further updates as required. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to take care on the roads, get home as soon as possible, and stay dry.”

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