With longer, warmer days ahead, more of us will be heading outdoors to enjoy Auckland’s beaches, rivers and harbours. But keeping these places healthy takes more than meets the eye – and we all have a part to play.

There’s something special about Auckland as summer approaches. Whether it’s more time at the beach, a paddle on the harbour or a walk beside a favourite stream, so much of the city is shaped by water. Yet, it’s easy to take the health of our waterways for granted.

Behind the scenes, looking after them takes constant care, careful planning and investment. At Watercare, kaitiakitanga – guardianship and care for the environment – is central to what we do. Alongside providing safe drinking water, we collect and treat Auckland’s wastewater before returning it to the environment. And it’s no small undertaking. Every day, more than 400 million litres of wastewater travel through a vast network of over 8000 kilometres of pipes, 518 pump stations and 18 treatment plants. It’s a largely invisible system that plays an essential role in protecting public health and the environment.

As Auckland’s population grows, so does the demand on this infrastructure. That’s why we’re proposing to invest $15.2 billion over the next decade in more than 1,000 projects to renew ageing pipes, improve reliability, support growth and deliver better environmental outcomes.

Keeping the good things flowing

Caring for our waterways goes beyond what happens underground or at treatment plants. The everyday choices we make at home, school and work also play a part.

Every shower, load of washing and toilet flush sends wastewater on a journey through our network before being safely returned to the environment.

But when the wrong things enter our drains, they can damage pipes, and cause blockages and overflows. This can send untreated wastewater into the very places we love to swim, paddle and explore.

Healthy waterways don’t happen by chance. They’re the result of the work happening beneath our streets, continued investment in our city’s infrastructure and the choices we all make every day. Together we can help protect the waterways that make Auckland a special place to live.