Update: Saturday 24 December 2011, 10.00 am

Water supply and waste water

Water infrastructure is holding. Sampling of water in reservoirs and wells will continue today. There is no need to boil water.

Water is now being restored in Sumner.

As the water comes on it may be slightly discoloured. People are advised to gently run the tap for two minutes.

Water tankers are located at The Esplanade and at the junction of Wakefield Avenue and Nayland Stre

Residents should have water across the city. Anyone who does not have water should phone the call centre on 941 8999  / 0800 800 169.

Waste water is overflowing in to the Avon River. Please stay away from the river and estuary.

Roads and access

Contractors are busy clearing roads filling in potholes to assist with access and making roads safe.

Student Army

The Student Army have mobilised. To volunteer, or to ask for help with physical labour, go to www.facebook.com/#!/StudentVolunteerArmy  .

High tide

High tides have not caused any problems. Stop banks are being inspected and will continue to be monitored.

Welfare

Windsor School Welfare Centre had two people staying overnight and will close at 11am today.

Anyone who is feeling distressed or overwhelmed by the aftershocks and needs extra help to cope with the situation can call the Canterbury Support Line on 0800 777 846 between 8am – 11pm seven days a week, including Christmas Day.

Those people who would like Christmas lunch are invited to the City Mission Christmas lunch at Christchurch East School – 311 Gloucester Street, 11.30am – 2.00pm. People are advised to arrive at 11.30am. 

Buildings

If you are worried about the safety of your home evacuate the building and contact a building professional as soon as you are able.

Owners of commercial buildings are urged to engage a Chartered Professional (structural) Engineer to check their buildings before allowing people to occupy them.

Toilets

People who have already been issued with chemical toilets in the east of the city, and who are having problems with their waste water should use their chemical toilets while the sewers are being cleared. If you need more chemicals phone the call centre (941 8999 / 0800 800 169) and we will get them delivered to your property.

If you don’t have a chemical toilet but you are having problems with flushing the toilet and waste water phone the call centre and a portable toilet will be delivered to you.

Parks update

With reports of rock falls around the Port Hills the Rapaki track that was re-opened yesterday is now closed. 

Please check for on-site signs before walking any of the Port Hills tracks as many are closed because of the risk of rock fall.  Other parks remain open including the Botanic Gardens,  Bottle Lake Forest Park, Spencer Park, Groynes and Halswell Quarry.

People are reminded to stay away from the Port Hills unless they live there, or need to be there. Rock fall remains a potential hazard in hill areas, including Rapaki Track which was re-opened for public use yesterday morning, before this recent cluster of aftershocks.

Public transport

The bus system continues to operate across the city, as usual.

Retail

The Central City Re:Start shopping precinct is open today, however, the Cathedral Square Walkway is closed. number of supermarkets have reopened. Please see  www.foodstuffs-si.co.nz and ww.countdown.co.nz .

Update: Saturday 24 December 2011, 7.15am

Liquefaction, rockfall and water supply are the main areas of concern following yesterday’s cluster of aftershocks in Christchurch.

Large deposits of liquefaction have been identified in the following areas:

  • Bexley, in the area between the Avon River and Anzac Drive, and around Horseshoe Lake Avondale
  • Drake Street, Sinclair Street and Brighton Road
  • Waygreen Avenue, Terrelle Street, Willryan and Rebecca avenues
  • Belair Close, Vivian Street, Rockwood Avenue, Tedder Avenue and Endeavour Street
    Pinewood, Flemington, Ascot and Bower avenues, and
  • Crofts Lane.

Pegasus Avenue and  Branksome Place have suffered major liquefaction and sewage leaks.

Port Hills

People are reminded to stay away from the Port Hills unless they live there, or need to be there. Rock fall remains a potential hazard in hill areas, including Rapaki Track which was re-opened for public use yesterday morning, before this recent cluster of aftershocks.

Power

As at 10 o’clock last night, Orion reported that there were less than 400 homes without power, and that the power supply to New Brighton remained fragile.

Water and Wastewater

All water and wastewater pump stations have power and are operative. Most houses should have water supply, except for those in the Sumner area due to a break in the water supply at the causeway overnight. Crews are now working to restore the water supply to Sumner and it is expected this will be restored by 10am, or water made available from tankers. Residents in other areas who do not have water should phone the call centre on 941 8999  / 0800 800 169.  Tankers will be deployed to areas without water supply as necessary.

The wastewater treatment plant is fully operational.

Water pressure is being maintained, and there is no need to boil water.

Ten water crews, 15 wastewater crews and 21 jetting crews and subcontractors are ready to start repairs and clear silt from roads and sewers across the city.

Public transport

The bus system continues to operate across the city, as usual.

Welfare

The welfare centre set up at Windsor Primary School last night had two people staying overnight. Key welfare staff are on standby around the city.

Over the next few days Council-run or supported events will go ahead as planned. The free YMCA Carols by Candlelight is still on tonight (Saturday 24 December) at 9-10pm at Hagley Park North. See bethere.co.nz for more information. 

Help available

Anyone who is feeling distressed or overwhelmed by the aftershocks and needs extra help to cope with the situation can call the Canterbury Support Line on 0800 777 846 between 8am – 11pm seven days a week, including Christmas Day.