Watercare invests $300m in wastewater infrastructure to support growth in Auckland’s north-west

New wastewater infrastructure is taking shape in Whenuapai and Red Hills as part of Watercare’s $300m investment programme to support new housing in Auckland’s north-west.

Watercare capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says the company aligns its infrastructure planning with Auckland Council’s Future Development Strategy, which anticipates significant residential and commercial growth in Whenuapai and Red Hills in the 2030s.

“Our $300m investment in wastewater infrastructure for the north-west area is part of our overall programme supporting the council’s long-term vision for growth in Auckland.”

Watercare project manager Ronald Gunda says construction began on the first of three stages in the programme in November last year.

“The first stage consists of three separate wastewater pipes and supporting infrastructure, totalling 2.8 kilometres.

“So far, we’ve completed 80 per cent of the work, most of which has been installed in greenfield land.

Photo: Watercare project manager Ronald Gunda stands in front of one of three pipe bridges built as part of Stage 1 of the Whenuapai and Red Hills wastewater programme.

Gunda says Watercare is installing the pipelines using a combination of micro tunnelling and horizontal directional drilling to tunnel directly underneath sensitive areas such as wetlands.

“Using horizontal directional drilling we’re able to push the pipes through the ground, while micro tunnelling involves boring a tunnel through the ground and then inserting the pipes.”

“We also built three pipe bridges to span creek beds, helping prevent slips and preserving the natural flow of the waterways.”

Gunda says right now the crews have their eyes on the last wastewater pipeline that will connect Cardinal West residents into the network, enabling their wastewater to be pumped directly into the Massey North wastewater pipeline.

“When this stage goes into service next year, the wastewater tanks that currently collect Cardinal West residents’ wastewater will be able to be decommissioned.

“The completion of all three pipelines in the first stage will enable an additional 3000 homes to be built and connected into the network.”

Photo: Groundworks for stage 1 in the Whenuapai and Red Hills wastewater programme.

The second stage of the $300m programme will begin early next year. It includes two wastewater rising main diversions and a new wastewater tunnel from Westgate to Hobsonville.

“The final stage is projected to begin in early 2027 and will involve constructing a new wastewater pump station and pipelines in Whenuapai.

“The full programme is expected to be in service in late 2028.

“Once all three stages are complete, the new infrastructure will provide capacity for 13,000 additional homes.”