Waiwera, a $45 million upgrade is under way on local water and wastewater systems.

On the Hibiscus Coast, that means new pipes, a new pump station and, in time, no more treated wastewater flowing into the Waiwera estuary.

Under Watercare’s Waiwera Water and Wastewater Servicing Programme, the work will support expected growth of about 1,600 people by 2068 and improve the reliability of local supplies.

Crews are already installing the first 500 metres of a 4.5 kilometre wastewater pipe beside Hibiscus Coast Highway, using horizontal drilling up to seven metres deep for about 2.7 kilometres and open trenches where the steep, winding hill makes drilling impractical.

The new main will carry flows to the Hatfields Beach Pump Station, then on to the Army Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant for full treatment and discharge via the Army Bay outfall, allowing the ageing Waiwera plant to be shut down once the new system is running.

Wielding of the new wastewater raising main on Hibiscus Coast Highway. Photo: Watercare

A new watermain from the existing reservoirs at the top of Waiwera Hill will also help keep taps running for homes and businesses.

Locals can expect ongoing lane closures on the northbound side of Hibiscus Coast Highway, with two way traffic signals on the southbound lane in sections of about 500 metres while crews move along the route.

Watercare says the first section should take around 10 weeks, with several teams working across the programme next year to keep progress steady for Waiwera and nearby communities.

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