The task of resubmerging a large, plastic sewage pipe floating up out of the Ala Wai Canal could take up to three weeks to finish, but city officials reiterated today that it is not leaking and poses no health risks.

The pipe, which has been mistaken for everything from a tree log to the tail of a sea monster, surfaced Saturday near the Hawai’i Convention Center.

Blame warmer weather for creating more gas that caused the pipe section to lighten and float, said Tim Steinberger, city environmental services director.