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Watercare is moving full steam ahead on projects intended to fuel growth in Pukekohe.
A new four-kilometre pipeline – sections are to be installed near the train station – is part of a $98.2 million programme that also includes a larger wastewater pump station on Isabella Drive, Pukekohe North.
This work is being delivered alongside the $17 million Jutland Road wastewater diversion project on Ward Street. Together, these projects will help improve capacity and network performance while reducing the risk of overflows.
As the region can expect an influx of approximately 50,000 people during the next
20 years, ensuring services are on tap is vital, Franklin Ward Councillor Andrew Baker confirms.
“These projects are the first in a series of interdependent upgrades needed to fully support existing communities and future growth in the Pukekohe and Paerata areas,” he says. “The new pump station on Isabella Drive will replace the existing Isabella and Cape Hill wastewater pump stations while also relieving pressure on the Te Paea and Franklin pump stations.”
The new Pukekohe North pump station will have a capacity of 480 litres per second, increasing the network’s ability to manage higher volumes of wastewater, Watercare project manager Stephan Morkel explains.
“The programme reflects Watercare’s core focus on improving infrastructure
delivery through stronger planning, smarter execution and better systems,” he says.
“It will also consolidate emergency overflow management by creating a single, engineered overflow point for the new pump station.”
The pump station and pipeline are expected to be completed by early 2028. “This will remove two existing overflow points that currently discharge into the local stormwater network and intermittently into a nearby stream, improving environmental outcomes,”
Morkel adds.
“Site establishment is now complete, and crews have begun early works to prepare for the next major stage of construction.”
As previously reported, road access and parking near the train station have been restricted since Monday, June 29, with work in progress on the first section of the pipeline. However, alternative parking is available at Pukekohe Showgrounds.
Search ‘Pukekohe’ at watercare.co.nz for updates.
