Pipe drilling approved

Direct-drilling technology will be used to install water pipes under the Mataura River, after the long-awaited proect was finally green lit. 

Directional-drilling technology uses a steerable drill head to create a precise underground pathway, allowing pipelines to be installed without disruption to the surface. 

 

The method is valuable for crossing obstacles like rivers and roads, reducing the environmental impact and allowing greater precision in difficult terrain. 

 

The estimated cost of the project is $2.65million, and is scheduled to begin in the new year and be completed by December 2026. 

 

Gore Mayor Ben Bell in a statement said he was pleased to see the culmination of five years’ work.