Whakatāne District Council is working to complete a permanent repair on a broken sewer pipe, located near the Baptist Church on Keepa Road.

Over time, roots had grown through a collar (join) in the underground pipe, causing seepage that then led to wastewater and dislodged soil overflowing into the Kope Canal for a short period on Saturday afternoon.

Later that afternoon, the section of broken pipe was isolated and a temporary repair was made while fittings for a permanent repair were sourced. These are due to arrive in the morning (Tuesday 15 February) and vacuum 'sucker' trucks will remain onsite until the repair is completed (estimated to be early afternoon).

The leak is at a point of the canal where existing signage is in place advising people not to enter the water or gather kaimoana and we further remind people of the need to stay out of the water.

Samples of the water taken at various locations on the canal and nearby waterways have been taken to determine the extent of possible contamination from the overflow.