Wastewater upgrade in the pipeline

27 February 2019

A new 10km pipeline will carry the wastewater from Waikeria Prison to Kihikihi as part of a new wastewater connection for the facility.

The pipe, which will be the longest wastewater pressure main in the Waipā network, will improve the health of the Pūniu River catchment as treated wastewater from the existing Prison treatment plant will no longer discharge into the Mangatutu Stream.

In June 2018, the Government announced it will increase the capacity of the existing Waikeria Prison site. A new facility accommodating 500 prisoners and a new mental health facility accommodating a further 100 prisoners are due to be completed by 2022.

Department of Corrections and Waipa District Council have agreed to transfer wastewater from the existing and new prison facilities to Council's existing wastewater treatment plant in Te Awamutu.

Corrections Regional Commissioner Terry Buffery said working with Council to find an alternative wastewater solution and stop discharging treated wastewater to the river was a high priority.

During community consultation on the expansion of Waikeria Prison, a consistent theme raised was the desire to avoid further discharges into the Pūniu River. Connecting the Prison to the Te Awamutu wastewater treatment plant is a better way to manage our wastewater and provides a positive outcome for the environment.

The project will involve constructing a new pumped pressure system from the Prison to Kihikihi, and upgrading the existing wastewater network in Te Awamutu between the Albert Park Pump Station and the treatment plant.

Council water services manager Tony Hale said the upgrades will also provide for future projected growth within Te Awamutu.

We're expecting an additional 5,400 people in the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi area by 2050. This upgrade will significantly improve several of our critical assets in the wastewater network for the benefit of Te Awamutu in the long-term.

Corrections will fund the new and upgraded infrastructure required. Council's contribution will cover the upgrade costs to cater for future growth. Once complete, all the assets (pipeline and pump stations) will be owned by Council.

Design and location of the new wastewater pipeline is currently underway. Construction is expected to begin in late 2019 and take 12 months.

To keep up to date with this project, visit waipadc.govt.nz/MajorProjects.