The build of Tauranga's third water treatment plant is hitting a new milestone, with the contract for the first phase of construction of the water mains trunk awarded to local firm HEB Construction.

Tauranga City Council is investing $115 million in the development of a new water supply due to be completed late 2021.

Tauranga City Council Environment Committee Chair Steve Morris said that the new treatment plant will serve the future needs of Tauranga, provide relief to water supply in summer and add resilience to the city's water supply overall.

‘Water will be top of mind for most Tauranga residents, considering the current water restrictions. The new water treatment plant will help ease the pressure on our water supply in the warmer months of summer, and this work brings us a bit closer to that' Mr Morris said.

The Waiāri Water Supply Scheme includes the development of a new water abstract facility at the Waiāri Stream, a water treatment plant at 315 No.1 Road, Te Puke, and an underground water pipeline from the plant to Poplar Lane and the Eastern Reservoirs.

Following market feedback, Tauranga City Council made the decision to split construction of the pipeline into three separate contracts:

• Part A1 - approximately 4km long pipeline from water processing plant down No 1 Road and across Landscape Road
• Part A2 - approximately 9.4km long pipeline through farm land across Te Puke Highway to Poplar Lane
• Reservoir to Reservoir – approximately 9km long pipeline from Poplar Lane to Welcome Bay Road

It is this third part that we can now proceed with, building the pipeline that connects the reservoir at the intersection of Poplar Lane and Te Puke Highway with the Eastern Reservoir on Welcome Bay Road. This change in approach is not expected to delay the opening of the Waiari Water Supply Scheme.

In the next few weeks, HEB construction will be developing a detailed methodology of the construction approach for the reservoir pipeline. Construction is expected to start in March.

The other two elements to the pipeline (A1 and A2) have been presented to the market for expressions of interest. Invites to tender will go out early April for contracts to be awarded in winter 2019.

The plant will mainly service the Papamoa coastal strip/Te Tumu growth areas and provide a backup for Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Te Puke water supply.
The first construction activities started in March 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2021.

Tauranga City Council Environment Committee Chair Steve Morris said ample consideration was given to recognise Iwi's relationship with the river, minimise disruption to Te Puke locals, create employment opportunities for local residents and ensure the best value for money for Tauranga ratepayers.

‘Iwi relationships with the river, water quality and quantity, and ecosystem health are important in our plans. Throughout the development of the project we have collaborated with iwi through the Waiāri Kaitiaki Advisory Group' said Mr Morris.

‘We're also doing our best to minimise the disruption to Te Puke residents and businesses, by planning work around kiwifruit-picking season and avoiding major thoroughfares and commercial areas where possible.'

Mr Morris added the 22-kilometre network of pipes would be located to avoid existing infrastructure as much as possible.

For more information, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/waiari