Some 14 different projects make up the overall upgrade, and one of these takes a major pipeline from the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWTP) at Pages Road to the new Pumping Station 11 to be constructed at the corner of Bass and Randolph streets in Linwood. "Periodically we seal up both ends of the pipeline and pump water in to check that there's no leaks and so far we've found none, so that's pleased both the contractor and us," Mr Borkussays.

About 1.3km of the new pipeline has already been laid part-way down Hay Street, completing almost one-third of this particular project and, thanks to the patience of Hay Street residents, the pipeline would reach the junction with Linwood Avenue on schedule around Christmas, says Mr Borkus.

Since the pipe-laying started along Hay Street, after it was laid across fields to the bottom of Ruru Road by the lawn cemetery, the Council had received just four complaints and all had been dealt with.

"Most involved moving unsightly stockpiles and the accidental cutting of a feeder electric cable, but they were dealt with very quickly. "Other than that, in terms of disruptions, the Hay Street residents have been relatively patient," Mr Borkus says.

The next stage of the project after Hay Street will take the pipe line along Linwood Avenue and across the avenue, through Linwood Park. Mr Borkus says the real challenges on the engineering side still lay ahead, this included getting the pipeline under the Linwood canal at the Linwood Park end of Randolph Street in 2004.

More detailed information on the over all sewer upgrade is available on the CCC internet site www.ccc.govt.nz/waste or phone Council on 941 8830.

For queries relating directly to the New Pressure Main 11 contact Contract Manager Tony Borkus at the Christchurch City Council on 941 8999 or the contractor's representative, Andrew March on 0274 377 320.