Wastewater from private residences and non-domestic sites goes into the wastewater network and is pumped to treatment plants for treatment and disposal. The network in this local board area is extensive and spread over the Hobson Bay and Lower Tamaki River catchments. The Remuera, Meadowbank, Orakei, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers, Glendowie and St Johns areas feed into the large Eastern Interceptor. This transports wastewater south through Mt Wellington to the Māngere wastewater treatment plant. The wastewater from Ellerslie travels south on the Onehunga line to join the Western Interceptor and is treated at Māngere wastewater treatment plant.
We have undertaken a range of significant projects in the Ōrākei local board area including development of the Hobson Bay tunnel and giant pump station 64. In 2015, the $14 million Kohimarama wastewater storage tank in Madill’s Farm reserve was completed with the aim to accommodate growth while reducing wet weather overflows. We also worked with the local board to improve the aesthetics of the Pourewa pump station. When completed in 2026, the
Central Interceptor Project will have a significant impact on local waterways, preventing overflows by reducing wastewater flows coming into the Eastern Interceptor from the north-west.
Together with Healthy Waters and the local board, we have worked on the Long-term Plan (LTP) process and highlighted the potential for an eastern isthmus water quality improvement programme. This programme aims to coordinate some of the major works that can be kicked off following the completion of the Central Interceptor. An initial focus for Healthy Waters will be the separation of the Newmarket stormwater and wastewater networks. This would allow our team to commit to the development of the Newmarket gully wastewater project - a tunnel from Newmarket gully to Hobson tunnel that will help reduce wet weather wastewater overflows. The eastern isthmus programme will also provide community groups with clarity around the timing of planned major works and investment. At this time, Auckland Council’s funding is focused on the western isthmus water quality programme, with the eastern isthmus due to get underway from 2025.
For the southern area of the local board, drinking water comes via the Ardmore and Waikato water treatment plants, while the west is serviced by Waitākere and Huia water treatment plants. For the Remuera, Meadowbank, Ellerslie area the main water supply comes via Mt Hobson High and Mt Hobson Low reservoirs. Water reservoirs are placed along the network to ensure supply during times of peak demand and smooth flows during the day. Recent upgrades have recently taken place on Mt Hobson and St Heliers Bay Road.
