The Dunedin City Council is to dig up private properties as part of a $2.2 million pipe renewal project.
Council staff yesterday announced the work - stage two of an ongoing project - was set to begin in Andersons Bay and Musselburgh next month.
Downer NZ Ltd has been awarded two contracts, together worth $2.252 million, to replace pipes almost 100 years old in the suburbs.
Council engineering project manager Marco Vega, in a statement, said most of the pipes were under roads and footpaths, but some work on private properties would be necessary.
The first contract covered work in Tomahawk Rd and Duckworth, Merchiston and Hunt Sts, while the second covered Rawhiti, Marama and Rewa Sts.
Work on private properties in Musselburgh was expected to start in March next year, followed by private properties in Andersons Bay in May.
Excavation would be used, rather than trenchless methods, because of the extent of work required, including the installation of larger pipes in the areas, he said.
That would help address blockages, low flow and low-pressure problems in some areas, he said.
About 24 private properties would be affected in total, across both suburbs, but a few more property owners could be asked for access to their land.
Most of the work on private properties would occur near the boundaries, but some would have to cut through back gardens.
The owners and occupiers of affected properties had been contacted, and excavated areas would be reinstated as part of the project, Mr Vega said.
''We appreciate this work causes disturbance for local residents, but it is essential in order to maintain the provision of water, wastewater and stormwater services,'' he said.
The latest stage of the project followed previous pipe replacement work in Andersons Bay, including on private property, which began last year.
Stage two was expected to begin by late next month and be completed in next June.
