Watercare will end treated wastewater discharges into the Waiwera Estuary through a $45 million upgrade in Waiwera and Hatfields Beach.

The Waiwera water and wastewater upgrade forms part of Watercare’s 10 year, $13.8 billion capital works programme from 2025 to 2034.

Watercare head of wastewater planning Andrew Deutschle said removing discharges marks a major shift for the estuary.

“This work will eliminate treated wastewater discharges into the Waiwera Estuary entirely - a huge win for water quality and the local environment.”

A new wastewater pump station will be built beside the existing Waiwera Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A 4.5 kilometre pipeline will connect it to the Hatfields Beach Pump Station.

Wastewater will then be pumped to the Army Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant for higher level treatment before being released through the Army Bay outfall.

Once the new system is operational, the Waiwera Wastewater Treatment Plant will be decommissioned.

The wastewater oxidation ponds at Waiwera Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The wider programme also includes an 840 metre replacement watermain.

This is expected to improve reliability and cater for an additional 1,600 residents by 2068.

Watercare project manager Martin Hughes said crews have begun laying sections of the wastewater pipeline along Hibiscus Coast Highway and Weranui Road.

“These initial sections were installed using opencut trenching due to steep, winding terrain.”

Most of the remaining pipework will use horizontal directional drilling.

“It’s faster, less disruptive and more cost efficient than open trenching.”

Permanent lane closures of up to 500 metres are in place on the northbound lane of Hibiscus Coast Highway.

Two way traffic signals are managing vehicles on the southbound lane.

Hughes said the team is coordinating with Auckland Transport on slip repairs near the work zone.

“The slips have created some minor disruption, however we will reschedule the construction of the new wastewater pipeline to accommodate the slip repairs.”

He said the wastewater and water upgrades remain on track for completion by the end of the year.

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