Auckland’s north-western Whenuapai and Red Hills suburbs are set to benefit from a $300 million wastewater infrastructure programme designed to support future growth.
Watercare capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says the programme aligns closely with Auckland Council’s Future Development Strategy, which anticipates significant residential and commercial growth in the area throughout the 2030s.
“Our $300m investment in wastewater infrastructure for the north-west area is part of our overall programme supporting the council’s long-term vision for growth in Auckland.”
Construction began in November last year on the first of three stages in the programme, which involves installing three separate wastewater pipelines and supporting infrastructure over a combined 2.8 kilometres.
According to Watercare project manager Ronald Gunda, approximately 80% of stage one work is now complete, with most of the installation taking place across greenfield land.
“The first stage consists of three separate wastewater pipes and supporting infrastructure, totalling 2.8 kilometres.
“So far, we’ve completed 80 per cent of the work, most of which has been installed in greenfield land.”
Watercare is employing a combination of micro-tunnelling and horizontal directional drilling to install pipes beneath wetlands and other ecologically sensitive areas.
“Using horizontal directional drilling, we’re able to push the pipes through the ground, while micro tunnelling involves boring a tunnel through the ground and then inserting the pipes,” Gunda says.
“We also built three pipe bridges to span creek beds, helping prevent slips and preserving the natural flow of the waterways.”
In addition to tunnelling, Watercare has constructed three pipe bridges spanning creek beds, carefully designed to prevent slips and preserve natural water flows.
Gunda says right now the crews have their eyes on the last wastewater pipeline that will connect Cardinal West residents to the network, enabling their wastewater to be pumped directly into the Massey North wastewater pipeline.
“When this stage goes into service next year, the wastewater tanks that currently collect Cardinal West residents’ wastewater will be able to be decommissioned.
“The completion of all three pipelines in the first stage will enable an additional 3000 homes to be built and connected into the network.”
The second stage of the $300m programme will begin early next year. It includes two wastewater rising main diversions and a new wastewater tunnel from Westgate to Hobsonville.
“The final stage is projected to begin in early 2027 and will involve constructing a new wastewater pump station and pipelines in Whenuapai.
“The full programme is expected to be in service in late 2028.
“Once all three stages are complete, the new infrastructure will provide capacity for 13,000 additional homes.”
For growing cities like Auckland, the future of wastewater management is not only about building capacity but also about creating smarter, more resilient, and sustainable systems.
Sensors and data analytics are being increasingly embedded into wastewater networks to monitor flow, detect blockages, and predict system failures before they occur.
Modern wastewater systems are being designed to reduce environmental impacts by protecting waterways, wetlands, and coastal zones. Techniques such as micro-tunnelling and directional drilling, used in Auckland’s north-west projects, demonstrate how infrastructure can be constructed with minimal disruption to sensitive ecosystems.
Future designs are expected to go further, incorporating “nature-based solutions” such as constructed wetlands that naturally filter and manage stormwater, alongside engineered systems.
The future also lies in resource recovery. Wastewater is no longer seen solely as waste but as a source of energy, nutrients, and reclaimed water. Advanced treatment plants are turning sewage into biogas, fertilisers, and even high-quality recycled water for non-potable use. As demand for freshwater grows, recycled water will play a crucial role in easing pressure on drinking water supplies.
Wastewater infrastructure is being planned with long-term resilience in mind. Rising sea levels, heavier rainfall, and expanding populations require systems that can adapt to shifting conditions. Investment today ensures cities remain liveable tomorrow, with infrastructure that protects public health, supports housing growth, and sustains the environment.
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