Oakura Sewerage Project

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Oakura Sewerage Project

The new reticulated sewerage system in Oakura is an alternative to septic tanks and developed to ensure the sustainability of the local environment.

The system includes about 38km of new sewer pipelines, including a pumping main from Oakura to New Plymouth and gravity reticulation within Oakura and five pump stations. The sewage is pumped from Shearer Reserve to Botany Place in New Plymouth via the pipeline along State Highway 45, finally ending up in the New Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment along with the city’s wastewater.

All of the approximately 680 properties in Oakura will be able to connect to the new reticulated sewerage system. Approximately 575 property owners have chosen to connect.

Those properties that connect to the scheme will be required to decommission their septic tanks. There are minimum requirements for decommissioning your septic tank.

Current work

All reticulation contracts are complete, along with the main pump stations and two of the minor pump stations. The pump operation has been tested and residents will be able to connect to the system from Monday 18 January.

The connection process
Frequently asked questions and glossary
Timeline
Key Council decisions and policies
Key documents
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Photos above (from left): Foundations of the bio filter at Shearer Reserve (September 09). Installing the detention tank at the motor camp (September 09). The dry well pumps at Corbett Park pump station (September 09). More photos ...

The connection process

1. Apply for a building consent.
Forms can be obtained from the Council or the Oakura library, just ask for an Oakura Sewer Connection Pack. Please contact us for your pack.

2. Include a site plan of the proposed drainage layout with your application.
Your plumber can assist you with this or your plumber may do the application process on your behalf.

3. Return your completed application to us with a $105 application fee.
This application will be submitted to our Building Team for approval. You will be notified in writing within 20 working days if your application has been approved or you will be asked to supply more information.

4. Lay your drainage and carry out your connection to the mains.
This work will need to be done by a plumber and then iinspected by a Council Building Inspector.

5. "Go live" on the Oakura sewerage scheme (when your drainage has been approved) and decommission your septic tank.
There are minimum requirements for decommissioning your septic tank and a follow-up inspection for approval is required.

6. Apply for a Code Compliance Certificate
This can be done once your decommissioned septic tank has been approved. The application form will be included in your approved building consent. All this information will be added to your Property File held at the Council.

Frequently asked questions
Our requirements for Oakura Sewerage Scheme Private Connections.

Timeline

July 2004: Oakura sewerage project approved in Community Plan 2004-2014.

October 2004 - May 2005: Preliminary planning and design.

November/December 2004: 400m length of seafront sewer constructed along Messenger Tce, coinciding with the construction of a rock-filled protection wall.

July/August 2006: 300m of sewer laid in the town's CBD to allow for the refurbishment of the road and footpaths before summer 2006.

27 April 2007: Designation of sewer routes and sites for pump stations approved via a publicly notified process.

February 2008 - March 2009: Construction of sewer reticulation within Oakura township.

July 2008 - November 2009: Construction of pump stations.

18 January 2010 - Go live date.

January 2010 - January 2011: Residents who elected to join the scheme must connect during this period.