Enhancing water reliability in Remuera

Our team has completed a $1.8 million watermain renewal project aimed at significantly reducing the risk of major water outages in Remuera and its surrounding suburbs.

The project is part of our $28m reactive renewals programme that replaces pipes that are susceptible to leaks across Auckland.

The project involved replacing nearly 600 metres of pipeline across two watermains and relocating 15 household service lines from the corner of Stoneyroyd Gardens and Remuera Road down into Loch Street.

Networks programme manager Kate Xi says the initial plan was to replace a 350-metre watermain on Remuera Road, between Stoneyroyd Gardens and Loch Street, which had experienced three breaks in a single day back in February last year.

“However, when our contractors began digging, we realised that both watermains on the street were nearing the end of their design lives and needed to be replaced. “To reduce costs, minimise future disruptions and ensure the resilience of the network, we decided to renew both sections of the pipe and to extend the work into Loch Street.

“It means we now have one watermain supplying customers on the street, and another supply watermain distributing water to the surrounding suburbs. "

Head of water Sharon Danks says the Remuera upgrade was carried out under our reactive renewals programme, which has a $28m budget this financial year (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).

“The aim is to replace pipes that are susceptible to leaks and outages across Auckland.

“It complements our proactive watermain renewals programme, by allowing us to respond quickly to urgent, unplanned works."

“By having these two programmes working side by side, we’re able to focus on undertaking more pipeline renewals that enhance resilience and decrease future outages across Auckland’s watermain network.

“Right now, we’re currently carrying out 10 reactive renewal projects across different pockets of Auckland, including Māngere Bridge, Pakuranga Heights, Hillsborough, Henderson and Swanson.”

Ōrākei Ward Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Auckland, Desley Simpson, views the watermain upgrades as a positive for the community.

“Although the nighttime connections to the new pipeline caused some disruption for residents, Watercare's decision to take a dig-once approach will help prevent future disruptions in the area.

“By taking a big picture approach to the renewal Watercare has also helped to future proof and build resiliency in the network.”