Of the 180 + issues identified in the immediate aftermath of the storm and cyclone, more than 130 still require permanent repairs but a large number of those already have temporary fixes in place (see map below). Typically, damage has occurred in the north and west of Auckland to our network and transmission assets as well as damage to the Muriwai and Pukekohe water treatment plants that are currently not in service.
We are well underway with the process of assessment and repair scoping at more than 80 sites. We now have less than ten sites remaining to enter the design and delivery phases where either permanent solutions or robust temporary solutions are to be out in place to eliminate the need for bypass pumping and generators.
Our first priority during the extreme weather events was restoring water to our impacted customers. About 3,000 homes in west Auckland were without water after the January storm when a severe slip took out a major watermain. Our team worked hard to reconfigure the water network (changing the way water gets from A to B) to restore water to customers within two to five days. With water restored, we then focused on preventing wastewater overflows to the environment.
A storm response working group has been set up to address the situation in a coordinated and focused way. Any issues that have a high impact to customers or the environment are our highest priority. For example, a broken wastewater pipe that has ongoing overflows to the environment will be fixed before an issue at a treatment plant that has no customer impact.
Given the huge amount of repair work that we’re dealing with, we expect it will be more than a year before all the permanent repairs can be carried out. Some repairs will be complex – for example, fixing a wastewater pipe break that’s 25 metres below ground – and it’s important that we do it right.
We'll update this page regularly with information on the work being carried out in your area.
Muriwai
Works at Muriwai have been progressing to clear the land slip from around the water treatment plant and reservoir. Geotechnical and structural assessments are also being completed as it is hoped we will be able to utilise the reservoir with tankered water and restore the operation of the water treatment plant. As the site is currently red stickered, assessments are underway to better understand the site conditions and remedial works required. Our aim is to have the entire water treatment plant running, but there are several challenges we must work through. The health and safety of our people and the community are our top priority.
In the interim, a temporary reservoir consisting of three tankers are filled each hour. A power supply has now been organised with Vector, and the generator that was previously supplying electricity to the site has been removed. This will provide greater resilience and remove some of the noise disruption for nearby residents.
Braemar Road, Castor Bay
Significant geotechnical works have been completed to identify potential solutions for long-term fixes. Morphum has been engaged and has proposed a new pipeline alignment. Due to the nature of the site, the weather will impact works which may take approximately 16 weeks to complete. There is a temporary bypass in place as an interim measure, while any environmental discharge resulting from this is 95% controlled. Regular environmental testing is being carried out to monitor the situation.
Seacliffe Avenue, Belmont
A landslip caused a wastewater pipe to break, and the land is no longer stable or able to hold a permanent pipe. We have investigated alternative solutions to move three properties onto pressure sewer systems which will enable them to move permanently back onto the wastewater network. Pressure sewer systems are suited in this type situation where there is no longer an option to use gravity to move wastewater to the pump station.
With the pressure sewer system, each property will have a small private pump installed that will pump the wastewater to the pump stations. Planning is progressing on this installation which is anticipated to be completed in the coming months.
Rosecamp Road, Beach Haven
A significant slip along the cliff-front has taken out the wastewater pipeline. A bypass for upstream connections is in place, however, there are ten properties that remain without wastewater services. These properties are using portaloos with grey water discharge into the environment.
Work to build a resilient temporary pipe bridge are expected to start in the coming weeks and will take six to eight weeks to complete. Equipment needs to be taken to the site by a barge, so this work is weather and tide dependent. Works on a permanent solution are in the planning stage, with the solution likely to require a new alignment.
Kia Ora Road/Stott Avenue, Birkdale
There were a number of slips in the reserve behind these streets and Birkenhead College. Temporary fixes have been installed along with bypass pumping to address the environmental discharge from more than 400 properties within this catchment. The site is difficult to access and requires specialist equipment. Works on a more permanent solution will commence in the next two weeks.
Rangatira Road, Beach Haven
Works are underway to remediate the land and permanently repair the pipe at the same time. Our contractors have partnered with the property owners’ land remediation partner to complete the works all at once for a ‘dig once’ approach. This is to ensure a prompt outcome for the customer. Once works are completed in the coming weeks, the temporary bypass and generator will be removed from the location.
Gladstone Road, Parnell
The significant slip under the Parnell Rose Gardens has required substantial over-land bypass. This has recently been improved so the main entry to the Rose Gardens carpark is no longer blocked. The repair at this location will be significant and is currently in the planning and design phase.
View Road, Sunnyvale
Temporary fixes have been completed as well as remediation to the site due to damage caused by a broken wastewater site. Further works are required including to the near-by pipe bridge, however, these need resource consent and are also weather dependent, so will likely be completed after the winter months. Works that can be done now do not need a resource consent and will be completed when crews are available to do so. The aim is to improve the current situation as much as possible.
Aldern Road, Massey
A temporary bypass has been installed, however, recently it was discovered additional properties have broken lateral connections to the pipe. This is causing small amounts of overflow into the environment so we will temporarily fix this issue and conduct further dye testing to better ascertain the condition of the line. From there, permanent plans can be made for the repair.
Miha Road, Titirangi
One of our earliest temporary fixes was put in place at this location with a wastewater pipe put across the slip by the pathway to French Bay. We have discovered locals have been using the pipe as a handrail to cross the damaged path. This is strongly discouraged due to the potential for the pipe to break and cause environmental discharge. Posts on local Facebook pages have asked the community not to use this area. We have also requested the Local Board’s assistance in escalating either the repair or better closure of the pathway.
Anita Avenue, Mount Roskill
A landslip behind properties on Anita Avenue and Maungakiekie Golf Course has damaged the wastewater pipeline. We are working with the golf course on determining the best access route to bring the required equipment on-site while limiting potential damage to the grounds.
Middleton Road, Remuera
The wastewater pipe runs down an existing watercourse along with a stormwater asset. The floods scoured the stream and exposed the pipe with debris crushing the pipe in multiple places. Temporary piping has been installed, but a permanent solution needs to follow. A long-term solution will require the restoration of the original streambed, so cover to the gravity sewer can be maintained. The pipe will require additional protection to prevent further exposure by scouring.
Any temporary or permanent repair work to our wastewater assets will need to be planned and coordinated with remedial work that Healthy Waters propose to carry out on the stormwater assets along with reinstatement and protection works on the open watercourse.
If remedial work is required for your flood or storm damaged property and it's in close proximity to our assets, please keep us updated with your plans for repair. There may be temporary pipes in place or permanent fixes for us yet to complete. We want to work with you as much as possible, so it is important you keep us updated on your plans and the timing of any repairs. When you have an idea of what your land remediation will look like, please update us by emailing [email protected].
When working over or near to one of our assets you are required to apply for a Works Over permit. When you are completing the permit application, please add ‘flood recovery’ in the reference name description field so we correctly identify your application and put it through the fast-track process. Once you have completed the application, please advise us of the reference at [email protected].
For more information on the works over process, click the button below.
If you’d like to follow up directly about an issue in your neighbourhood that we’re already aware of,
please email [email protected].
If you need to report a new fault,
please click here to log a fault.
Temporary wastewater solutions are more susceptible to blockages in our pipes and pumps, which can cause wastewater overflows. It’s more important than ever to
flush only the 3Ps – toilet paper, pee and poo – and to avoid pouring fats and oils down the sink.