Water main renewal in CBD nears completion

With nearly five kilometres of new pipes installed over the last twelve months, the upgrade of central Taupō's water system is just weeks away from completion.

The original concrete pipework that was installed in the 1960s was reaching the end of its life cycle, and so a comprehensive renewals programme has been underway. New high-density polyethylene pipes with a rated useful life of 100 years, nearly double that of the original concrete pipes, have been installed, as well as new high pressure mains valves. Operations manager three waters Kevin Sears says that the upgrade to the water main system means the central business district has a more dependable supply system that will last for generations.

"The new high-density polyethylene pipes are a lot more robust than the old concrete ones, so they not only last longer but are less prone to leaks, and the modern technology in the new mains valves also gives greater durability and resilience. The upgrade process has also meant that we have been able to fully map where all these services are. The records we had from the 60s were not completely accurate, with some valves incorrectly shown in the system, so it's great to not only have a new system in place but to have a clearer picture of our infrastructure. This has been a big project, and we are grateful for the patience the community has shown throughout it."

The final section of the central business district to receive the upgrade by Civtec is the Spa Road area, which has seen numerous localised water shutdowns over the last few months as the new mains were installed. Works there should be completed within weeks and this will mark the completion of the water main upgrade in the town centre.

May 31 2018

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa NairneHead of Communications and Customer Relations 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Andy TaylorSenior Communications Advisor 07 376 0781 027 570 4651