HUNTER Water is working overtime in an attempt to repair a massive four-metre-deep sinkhole which has opened up in the front yard of a Shoal Bay property.
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The first traces of the sinkhole appeared more than a month ago in the front yard of the Horace Street property of Cheril Richardson, and in just a few weeks had gradually expanded.
"I reported it to Hunter Water and at first they tried to fill the hole with roadbase but with all the rain it collapsed again," a bemused Mrs Richardson said.
"Eventually the earth started to give way under the corner of my home."
Hunter Water spokesman Nick Kaiser said that damage was caused by a break in a 150 millimetre vitrified clay sewermain which had washed away sandy soil and caused subsidence in front of the property.
"Hunter Water was first called to the property on June 16 and after an initial assessment it was decided to fill in the hole with crushed rock as a temporary safety measure," Mr Kaiser said.
"Due to the high water table Hunter Water engaged contractors to de-water the site so as the main could be excavated and repaired.
"The first attempt at repair was to reline the sewermain with flexible PVC, however due to the amount of wet sand this solution wasn't viable.
"Hunter Water has since worked to further excavate the area and shore up the trench so as repairs can be safely undertaken."
Mr Kaiser said the sewermain was four metres deep and once repairs are complete Hunter Water will look to reline the entire section of sewermain to prevent future breaks.
"Repairs are expected to be complete late this week," he said.