Lambie Drive and Browns Road are the next streets that will benefit from Watercare’s $20 million city-wide watermain renewals programme.
Breaking ground last year, the project has so far replaced around 12km of water pipes in Auckland’s inner east and west.
Watercare assets upgrades and renewals general manager Suzanne Lucas says the proactive assets watermain renewal programme marks a shift in how they approach network renewals.
“Traditionally our pipe renewal work has been carried out on a reactive basis when the assets fail – but now, we’re focusing on proactive planned renewals as well as the reactive work."
Watercare network renewals engineer Sean McHenry says the aim of the citywide project is to upgrade ageing watermains susceptible to breaks, boosting the resilience of Auckland’s water supply.
“The project reflects our mission to provide our customers with reliable, safe and secure drinking water – empowering us to better secure our water supply for future generations.
“Customers will also benefit from fewer leaks that sometimes can cause water outages, which in turn reduces our operating costs.”
McHenry says the works have kicked off on the corner of Cavendish and Lambie Drive, and will start in Browns Road in Manurewa next week.
The works will last approximately 10 weeks; work hours will be between 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and from 7.30am to 5pm on Saturday.
“To install the pipes, we’ll be using a drilling method called horizontal directional drilling that allows us to get the job done safer, with less disruption and to a higher quality too.
“Horizontal directional drilling is also better for the environment than open trenching as it lessens the impact on the surrounding residential assets and reduces fractures and soil disturbance.
“Using this drilling technique will also help us get the job done faster.”
Project Manager Sean McHenry
McHenry states: “While the work may generate some noise, we want to assure residents that it will be kept to a minimum and within levels approved by Auckland Council.
“We thank everyone in advance for their patience and will ensure measures are in place to minimise any unnecessary disruption for the duration of this project.”
