Tauranga City Council says a major incident that occurred involving the discharge of liquid ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) to the stormwater system last week was a close call. The spill occurred as a result of overflow from the refrigeration unit at a seafood processing facility at Sulphur Point. The fire service was called as a precaution and the street was cordoned off. The volume of ammonia that entered the harbour is unknown but is estimated at over 100L.

File picture.

No fish kill was observed, however, ammonia is acutely toxic to aquatic life and had the spill entered a more confined waterway or freshwater stream or river the impact would have been much more significant. A vacuum truck was called in to remove the contaminated water in the stormwater line. The overflow pipe was re-routed to wastewater to prevent further overflow and the pollution prevention and HSNO teams will follow up with the site. It is important for businesses to ensure any waste overflow from plant processing will not enter the stormwater system. Council encourages sites to check their systems thoroughly and ensure all waste pipes are plumbed correctly.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin, for the week beginning Monday, December 14, published below.

City Waters
Water Supply:
* A water shut down is programmed for this Saturday on a section of Birch Avenue, affected business have been informed.
* Parts of Bradley Avenue and Freeburn Road experienced some discolouration of their water on Wednesday. This was caused by the change in the direction of flow, normally this area is fed from the Joyce Road system but was changed over to be fed from the pumps at The Lakes in order for the trial run to take place on the Oropi Booster pumps. Maintenance contractors were out in the area Wednesday evening to flush out the mains.
* Problems with a Pressure reducing valve on State Highway 2 South has resulted in a handful of houses experiencing very low water pressure, maintenance contractors are currently working on the problem.
* Otumoetai Watermain Upgrade - Pipe laying in Pillans Road and connecting up in Otumoetai Road and Pillans Road.
* Fire hydrant marking and servicing continues in the Matapihi and Maunganui area and throughout the city over the coming year..
* Work on the Ohauiti High Level water supply reservoir is progressing. The construction of this new reservoir includes installation of over 1.1 km of new water main and will service the Ohauiti area. It's expected to be completed late January 2010.
* Water main replacement in Apollo Street and a section of Cameron between Elizabeth Street and Spring Street are due to commence in January. Pamela Place and Hillcrest are programmed for February and March.
* Drilling has commenced on the water main upgrades at Eight Avenue and work should be completed by the 18th of December
* The replacement of a pressure reducing valve and installation of a bulk meter is currently underway on Poike Road and should be complete mid December

Drainage:
* Four pollution events this week: One minor incident involving a private resident washing off spilt paint into the kerb, this dried in the hot weather before causing any pollution issues. The resident will be spoken to ensure they are aware of appropriate practices for paint wash water; A second minor incident involving exposed aggregate wash-off. Again this was very minor but serves as a reminder for contractors to ensure ALL wastewater is collected or diverted (not just cement slurry.)
* Two major chemical spills this week: A freight company at the Mount involving a spill of around 400L of hydrochloric acid. The incident was caused by a forklift puncturing the 1000 litre container. The fire service attended and the area was evacuated. Fortunately the majority of the chemical was contained on site with some overflow to ground soakage pits. It is possible a small volume may have soaked into the ground. The spill highlighted the need for sites to have an accurate drainage plan available as it took considerable time to ascertain if the spill may have entered a waterway. Sites should have drains clearly identified and staff should know where they lead. This incident is being followed up with by pollution prevention and HSNO.
* All the stormwater grills and outlets that get inspected and cleared for 'heavy rain warning' are to be checked next week to ensure they are not blocked or choked up with debris etc.for the Christmas period.
* Carlton Reserve Pond, Meadowland Pond (Matua salt marsh area), scheduled for cleaning to remove a quantity of raupo and other weed growth choking up the ponds. The two upper ponds in Carmichael Reserve are being cleaned now .
* The open drains within Omanu Golf Course and in vicinity of Bruce Road on SH2 and in Solomon Street have been cleared of weed growth. A further short section of drain off Aerodrome Road through the car wreckers' site is also scheduled to be cleaned.
* In Smiths Road near Eaton Crescent some minor stormwater improvement work to the system has begun including a new street sump to be installed in Takapu Street
* Taylor Road sewer pipelines are scheduled for flushing. This done annually to minimise blockages.
* Odour complaint reported at the harbour end of Anchorage Grove is being investigated. There are no obvious problems with the pipe systems so water quality samples are being taken and tested.
* Some unscheduled sewer pipeline replacement work at Bakels processing plant off Te Maire Street is being investigated and designed in consultation with site development works that Bakels are proposing to do within their yard.
* Three sewer blockages were reported this week with one causing an overflow to an open drain system. The blockage locations were: Chadwick Road where fat blocked a pipeline.The spill from this drained to a soak hole; Grosmont Terrace where a minor blockage was caused by tree roots. Small spill from gully trap on to grass area; Courtney Road where a pipeline blockage caused an overflow from a manhole to an open drain. This site is an area that is now being developed so we are working with the developer to remedy the sewer lines that have often been the cause of historical overflow and other problems.

Water Demand Management:
* A pressure management pilot project is being planned for the Poike and Mangatapu areas to reduce night flow water losses. The project comprises the upgrading of pressure control devices and piloting of flow modulating pressure control devices. Pressures and losses will be carefully monitored during December and January and adjustments made as necessary.

Waiari Water Supply Project:
* Three appeals have been received against the resource consents for the construction and operation of a new water intake and treatment plant to serve the Papamoa urban growth area. Tauranga City Council is in discussions with the appellants and parties must report progress to the Environment Court by 26 February 2010.

Bulk Water Meter Installation:
* A bulk meter renewal project is being advertised in December and scheduled for implementation during February 2010. Approximately 6 bulk meters are being replaced or refurbished (including refurbishing chambers) for accuracy of waterbalance and improved demand management.



Inflow Reduction Project:
* Gully trap inspections in the Bethlehem triangle area between Cambridge Road, Moffat Road and SH2 will begin in late January 2010. Affected customers will receive a letter advising this before inspections begin.

Parks and Leisure
* The annuals at Greerton Village are looking so good this season that someone has been removing large quantities. Video footage taken from the library, and overlooking the village green, has shown a woman removing plants at 3:15 in the morning. Plants have also been removed from other garden beds in Chadwick Rd and also from Memorial Park. This appears to be more than vandalism, or a few plants for the home garden, as more than 400 plants have been taken so far. The local Night Owls have been keeping an eye on the area but have been unable to identify the culprit yet. This activity has also been reported to the Tauranga South Police.
* Spraying of a recent infestation of the noxious aquatic weed, parrot's feather, in the newly realigned Kopurererua River, is due to commence this week.
* Mauao - a rock stability check will be carried out next week. Weed control work will continue above the Oruahine track. The track will be closed at times.

Oropi mountain bikepark

TCC and Sport BOP staff met to discuss the Council resolution to close Oropi mountain bike park if a community group can not be found to manage and maintain the mountain bike tracks to an acceptable health & safety standard. Outcomes from the meeting were:
* Mountain bike users will be approached early next year to establish a group that is willing to manage and maintain the tracks.
* Staff will do an audit of built structures at the Oropi mountain bike park next week. Unsafe structures will need to be removed. In the meantime the park remains open.

City Projects
* A contract to construct a new stormwater outfall to help resolve drainage issues at Greerton Park has been let. The work involves constructing a new gravity outfall. Currently all stormwater is pumped from the park to the Waimapu River. The work is programmed to start in January and is scheduled to take three weeks.
* Investigations into replacing an old asbestos concrete water pipe that used to supply buildings at the old Cambridge Road landfill site are underway. Water is needed for the new toilet block that is being constructed as part of the development of the reserve.
* The second stage of the Tay Street Boardwalk is underway. This will link the existing boardwalk to the toilet facilities.

Transportation
* Minor Safety Works: Work to replace the existing speed humps with speed cushions has begun in Evans, Dickson and Valley Roads. Minor delays are expected with one way traffic flows set up at each site. Please watch for temporary signage.
* Bethlehem Roundabout Resealing: Resealing work on the roundabout on State Highway 2 at Bethlehem is due to start on 13 December. The work is expected to be completed by 16 December weather permitting. The work is being done at night so disruption to traffic should be minimal.
* Parton Road: Reconstruction of Parton Road is continuing. Work is now mainly focused on the southern end of the road. Installation of services is also underway near Gordon Spratt Park. A temporary seal coat will be applied where appropriate to minimise disruption and dust over the holiday period. Work will close down from about 20 December until mid-January.
* Cameron Road: Most of the work is now complete with only the final re-surfacing with asphalt and the road marking still to be done.
* Takitimu Drive: Work on Takitimu Drive will continue this week on the north bound lanes between the Waihi Road overbridge and Chapel Street. Lane changes and a 30km speed limit are in place so please expect delays, particularly at peak times.
* Bus Stop Alterations: Some bus stops around the city are being altered to improve access for the Bay Hopper buses. In some cases this will involve removal of some roadside parking and in others formal marking of bus stops on the road to prevent cars parking too close to the stop. No delays are expected as road marking will be completed at night.
* Streetlight Upgrading: Upgrades to streetlights in Korowai Street, Seaspray Drive, Goods Road, Pillans Road and Harbour Drive are underway. Work is due to be completed prior to Christmas. Delays to traffic should be minor as all works are located within the road berms.
* Local Road Resealing: The local road resealing programme in underway around the city. This week's work is mainly minor and disruption to traffic should be limited.
* Wharf Street Partial Closures: Due to the work currently being done at Baycourt to upgrade the flytower there will be ongoing partial road closures on Wharf Street over the next few weeks. Traffic management will be in place and there may be some minor disruption to traffic from time to time.
* Footpath Programme: The annual footpath construction programme is continuing. Work is now underway on Valley Road. About 4km of new footpaths will be built between now and Christmas in various parts of the city.
* Bus Shelters: Over the next few months 18 new bus shelters will be built at existing bus stops around the city. Work starts this week with construction of the concrete bases for the shelters. Most of the work will be done off the road so there should be minimal disruption to traffic.

Harbour Link Project: Official Opening Friday 18 December 2009
* 6am - Morning Blessing of the Carved Gateway at Dive Crescent by local Kaumatua.
* 10.30am - The official opening is by the Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Roading.

Libraries
* Tauranga Library will be closed on Tuesday 15 December and Wednesday 16 December for stocktake. Library customers can still use the Council's other libraries in Greerton, Papamoa and the Mount on these days. Alternatively customers wishing to renew books can call 577 7177.
* Margaret Harper (harpist) will be playing mix of seasonal pieces on a large pedal concert harp, Saturday 19 December, from 10.00am in Tauranga Library.
* Enrolments for children and teen summer reading programmes are going well.