Earlier this month, the company released its Asset Management Plan (2021-2041) which outlines how Watercare will deliver new water sources and infrastructure, as well as renew and expand its wastewater network, to cater for Auckland’s expanding population.
The city is anticipated to have approximately 476,000 more residents over the coming 20 years and Watercare Chief Executive Jon Lamonte said it was important to continue to support the changes in a climate-resilient way.
“We have a colossal job to do to ensure we can continue to provide top quality drinking water to all of our customers and safely treat our region’s wastewater while adapting to the changing climate.
“While our population grows, industry does too,” he said.
“Auckland is already home to two-thirds of the country’s food and beverage manufacturers – two sectors for which water is vital – so ensuring we can support growth in these industries with a secure water supply is important for the wider economy.”
Mr Lamonte said the total investment averaged out to NZ$2.5 million ($2.37 million) per day, and there was no shortage of work to undertake.
“If consent is granted, we plan to progressively expand our new treatment plant near Tuakau until it can treat up to 150 million L a day.
“To put that volume in perspective, that’s more than what we can get from all five of our Waitākere dams,” he said.
“We’ll also need a new pipeline to carry this water to the city and increase our system’s resilience.”
Click here to read a copy of the plan.
For more information visit the Watercare website.