Duck Creek Wastewater Pump Station Upgrade
On behalf of Porirua City Council, we are working to increase wastewater storage at the Duck Creek pump station, Whitby. This will prevent overflows and reduce the risk of environmental damage as the population grows.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact:
Wellington Water, 04 912 4400
Latest Updates
Main works at the site are now complete and the new storage tanks are operational.
2nd work phase beginning January 2023
Current Status
Main works at the site are now complete and the new storage tanks are operational. There are some minor final items being completed in August.
Background
As part of our work to upgrade the wastewater network and improve the health of our streams and harbour, we are upgrading the wastewater pump station in Duck Creek, on the corner of Mooring Close and Tradewinds Drive.
In brief, we will be upgrading the infrastructure assets around the pump station and installing new underground storage tanks to provide redundancy in high rainfall events. The site will be landscaped and planted with trees and shrubs.
Phases
Phase One
The first phase of work involves realigning the main wastewater pipe on the site. This work is due to be completed in January 2023.
Phase Two
The second phase of work will involve excavation to install new underground tanks. This is due to begin in September 2022 and to be completed by June 2023. This work will be contained within the council property and has been carefully planned to minimise any impacts.
Why are we doing this?
The wastewater pump station was installed in 1975. It does not meet current Regional Standards relating to the volume of wastewater that can be stored at the pump station. Storage is important to managing the flow of wastewater, especially when it rains heavily, to reduce the risk of overflows.
Currently, untreated wastewater overflows between two and four times a year from this pumpstation or the pipes leading to it. This overflow contaminates Duck Creek and the Pauatahanui Inlet of Te Awarua-o-Porirua.
We are adding storage at the pump station to hold excess water in times of heavy rain, which will then be released into the network at a steady rate when the rain has eased. We anticipate this happening between two to four times a year.
This work will significantly reduce the risk of any overflows from this point in the network which will improve the water quality in Duck Creek and the Harbour.
Noise
There will be some noise from general construction plant and equipment such as excavators, trucks and hand tools. During Phase Two dewatering pumps will be required to operate intermittently overnight to keep groundwater out of the excavation. The pump will be located on the site furthest away from the properties and will be ‘silenced’ low noise pumps. The pumps will comply with the district plan rules and will be monitored.
Dust
The earthworks will create some dust. The project team will monitor dust from the excavations and water will be applied to reduce airborne dust.
All Updates
There are some minor final items being completed in August.
The first phase of work involving realigning wastewater main pipes, has been completed.
The second phase of work, involving excavation to install new underground tanks, is due to begin in January 2023. This work will be contained within the council property and has been carefully planned to minimise any impacts.
This will be a big achievement and then allow us to carry on with phase 2 starting in January 2023 and completed around May 2023. We appreciate the patience from the local community allowing us to navigate this particularly tricky project to upgrade the network providing resilience for the future.
The works will be done at the following three sites
The shoulder will be closed for all three sites, however normal traffic flow will not be impacted.
These works are to allow for more resilience and isolation points for this stretch of pipeline