Catchments saturated in Waimakariri
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Waimakariri is awash after the recent rain, as the risk of major flooding increases.
After three heavy rain events last month, Waimakariri District Council three waters manager Kalley Simpson says groundwater levels are similar to the levels after the June 2014 flood event.
‘‘The catchments in the district are saturated and groundwater levels are high, therefore there is an elevated risk of flooding due to rainfall events over the coming months.
‘‘We will continue to closely monitor and respond to any future wet weather events, taking into account this elevated risk.’’
Simpson said the July 26 rain event was the largest, and it followed heavy rain events on July 12 and 20.
Woodend (119.6mm) and Kaiapoi (109.6mm) received the most rainfall, followed by Rangiora (78.6mm), Mandeville (72.2mm), Summerhill (near Oxford, 61.8mm) and Oxford (47.2mm).
Undercurrents were also flowing at a particularly high level in the Mandeville area, he said.
‘‘This event (July 26) was more of a coastal event and was in the order of a 20 to 30 year event over 24 hours for Kaiapoi and Woodend, which experience the higher levels of rainfall."
The council did major infrastructure work following a series of heavy rain events in 2014, while stormwater work had begun in Kaiapoi as part of the Government’s Covid-19 ‘‘Shovel Ready’’ funding.
Simpson said the upgrades had generally performed well, while the stormwater improvement areas in Kaiapoi, including Feldwick Drive and Otaki St, had experienced flooding as predicted.
‘‘There was surface flooding across the wider district, most of which was in known areas of flooding where we have investigations or upgrades under way.
Some areas flooded unexpectedly, such as in McDougal Place in Kaiapoi.
‘‘We had staff and contractors out responding to and observing the event and have identified the source of flooding which we will address.’’
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
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91.3% Yes
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8.2% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below!
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Dog sitter wanted
Hi there peoples sometime ago Hubby and I with our golden labrador who is nine Maxi, was talking to somebody in coffee culture now it could have been over a year ago just wondered if you are out there or does anybody else take on dog sitting in their home? We are off overseas for four weeks and end July to end August our usual home based doggy sitter is unable to help us during this time. Maxi is very placid and laid back she is the first dog to roll over, lie on her back and say … you can be the boss! LOL Maxi is not really an outside dog she sleeps inside our house bus with us and is with us all the time as we are now retired. appreciate anybody who loves dogs. Will have a few play dates before we go and that way you can be happy if you volunteer and so can we, there will be some payment compensation.
Regards Sylvia
Stitchtasticnz (kaiapoi) now closed.
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