Horizontal directional drilling is being deployed to install a new wastewater pipeline outside Pukekohe on the the North Island of New Zealand.
The new four-kilometre pipeline is part of a major upgrade to reduce overflows and unlock capacity for around 12,900 homes.
Sections of the pipeline will be installed near the train station on Station Road within the scope of a $98.2 million programme that also includes construction of a larger wastewater pump station on Isabella Drive.
This work is being delivered alongside the $17 million Jutland Road wastewater diversion project, currently underway on Ward Street.
Together, these projects will improve network performance, reduce the risk of overflows, and create capacity for future growth in Pukekohe.
Franklin ward councillor Andy Baker said Pukekohe is a fast-growing community, with around 50,000 people expected to move into the area over the next 20 years.
“These projects are the first in a series of interdependent upgrades needed to fully support existing communities and future growth in the Pukekohe and Paerata area,” he said.
“The new pump station on Isabella Drive will replace both the existing Isabella and Cape Hill wastewater pump stations, while also relieving pressure on the Te Paea and Franklin pump stations.”
Watercare project manager Stephan Morkel said Pukekohe North pump station will have a capacity of 480 litres per second, significantly increasing the network’s ability to manage higher volumes of wastewater.
“The programme reflects Watercare’s core focus on improving infrastructure delivery through stronger planning, smarter execution and better systems,” said Morkel.
“The project will also consolidate emergency overflow management by creating a single, engineered overflow point for the new pump station.
“This will remove two existing overflow points that currently discharge into the local stormwater network and intermittently into a nearby stream, improving environmental outcomes.
“Site establishment is now complete, and crews have begun early works to prepare for the next major stage of construction.”
The wastewater pump station and four-kilometre pipeline are expected to be completed by early 2028.
Morkel said at the end of this month contractor Fulton Hogan will begin installing the first section of the new wastewater pipeline outside the Pukekohe Train Station.
“Works to install the first section will take place across two sites along Station Road,” he added.
“The first site will be outside Pukekohe Train Station, where the pipeline will be installed using horizontal directional drilling, a trenchless method for installing underground utilities without digging a full open trench.
“The second work site will be set up south of Subway Road and will use open trenching.
“This means the team will close a section of the road, dig a trench, install the new pipeline, then reinstate the worksite before moving on to the next section.”
Morkel said due to the disruptive nature of this work, a partial road closure will be in place at the second work site.
Traffic management will be in place, with access maintained for residents only.
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