What is this project?

Every business in Hautapu needs water it can rely on. As Hautapu grows, the water supply network needs to grow whether that be by extension or with additional infrastructure.

This project extends the water supply network to ensure that all businesses in the area have access to a reliable, fit-for-purpose water supply. Future businesses and development need to be able to connect without delay.

The project includes:

• installing new water supply pipes across unserviced parts of the industrial zone
• installing service connection pipes and making provision for future connections at each property
• upgrading the pump station at the Hautapu reservoir site to meet future demand, including fire flow requirements

Where possible, water supply works are being coordinated with other projects in the programme. For example, water pipes will be laid as part of the Hautapu Road Urbanisation project so we minimise disruption. We don’t want to dig the road up more than once!

Why is this upgrade needed?

Reliable water supply is fundamental to industrial activity. As Hautapu grows and business activity intensifies, demand on the existing network will increase. Without extending the network now, we risk supply constraints that could limit what businesses can do and slow down the development our district needs.

Fire flow (the ability to deliver sufficient water pressure and volume for firefighting) is a particular concern as water supply demand in the area increases. The pump station upgrade is specifically designed to meet street fire hydrant requirements.

The future reservoir

Longer-term plans include the construction of a new 10-million-litre reservoir at the Hautapu reservoir site. This will provide water security for decades of growth in the area.

The reservoir itself is planned for construction around 2034/35. Site preparation and land acquisition work, including negotiations with Fonterra who own adjacent land, are already underway to ensure the land is available when the time comes. The pump station being built as part of this project will initially serve the existing reservoir and will be scaled to work with the future larger reservoir when it is built.