Planning for the next stage of Westport’s water trunk main replacement underway
Preparation for the next stage of works to complete Westport’s water trunk main replacement is progressing well, with a thorough assessment of the proposed pipeline’s route nearing completion.
Once finalised, the Stage 2 works will complete the full renewal and extension of the water trunk main from the Water Treatment Plant at Sergeants Hill through to the intersection of Queen and Roebuck Streets in the Westport township.
The outstanding work involves replacing the last section of old 14-inch steel pipe with new 400 mm diameter polyethylene pipe, from the McKenna/Stephen Road intersection through to Queen Street.
Extensive due diligence assessments, consents and landowner approvals are currently underway to finalise the pipeline’s location, which prioritises minimising disruption to Westport residents, maximising cost effectiveness, and decreasing construction risks such as proximity to, and crossing over other utilities in multiple locations.
The final detailed design will ensure a resilient and enduring trunk main with minimal failure points can be constructed, bringing a sustainable, reliable supply of drinking water to the residents of Westport and Carters Beach.
Funding for this final section from McKenna/Kew Road to Queen Street has been approved within the 2024/25 Enhanced Annual Plan. The project has a total approved budget of $3,092,985.
The new polyethylene pipe used for the trunk main replacement is incredibly resilient, being thicker and able to withstand greater seismic events than its steel predecessor.
Since completion of the initial stages of pipe replacement, a significant reduction in water loss from leakage has been recorded. Completion of this final stage will deliver further reductions in water leakage and wastage of valuable drinking water.
Residents can sign up to council’s water supply updates by visiting bullerdc.govt.nz/do-it-online/water-supply-update-sign-up/ and selecting the Westport option.
Background information
Previous stages of this project include:
- The trunk main terrace replacement from the Water Treatment Plant at Sergeants Hill down the terrace to the land below, completed in late 2022.
- Works extending the replacement pipeline from the terrace bottom to the corner of Stephen Road and McKenna/Kew Road, which was completed in September 2023.
- The latter phase of work completed in September 2023 also included installation of a Pressure Reduction Valve (PRV) assembly for improved network pressure management, to help further reduce water loss across the network.
The initial $4M terrace replacement phase was funded by the Department of Internal Affairs, while the pipeline to Kew/McKenna Road was part of council’s $1.6M investment into Westport’s water infrastructure.
For further information about this project, visit council’s website.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz