Published 10/12/2021
Paremata project forging ahead, despite the deluge
As we dry ourselves off from the most recent weather bomb to explode over the Wellington region, you could be forgiven for thinking we’d taken a brief step back in time.
We were last left this drenched over two dismal days in mid-July, which caused a section of pipe between the Whitford Brown interchange and Paremata to burst twice.
The pipe plays an important role in the Porirua water network, transporting wastewater from Aotea, Whitby, Mana, Papākowhai , Plimmerton and Camborne and crews worked night and day to repair the pipe on 19 and 25 July.
Our repair work stood up to the test and held firm during the storm this week, preventing a reoccurrence of July’s bursts, but the pipe remains in a poor condition. Work to replace the most fragile section of the pipe has been underway since October.
Porirua City Mayor Anita Baker said investment in the city’s water network is of the utmost importance for future generations and the environment.
“It’s extremely important that we invest in our ageing infrastructure, to improve the health of our harbour, beaches and the city as a whole,” she said.
“This is why we’re investing $800m on our wastewater, stormwater and drinking water networks over the next 30-years.”
Wellington Water’s Manager Major Projects Gary Cullen said the project is making good progress, with the new pipe expected to be commissioned early next year.
“After the storm in July, Porirua City Council brought plans forward to upgrade the pipe from 2025 and the project is forging ahead, despite the challenges presented by Covid-19,” he said.
“The replacement of the 1km pipe is the first phase of a staged approach to upgrade the 4.5km wastewater main from Paremata to Porirua, it’s a long-term solution that allows for significant growth in the area.”