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New Melrose reservoir bigger, stronger and safer

26 January 2015

New Melrose reservoir bigger, stronger and safer

Work starts this week on a new reservoir in Mt Albert Park – part of an ongoing programme to make the Capital’s water storage facilities and supply network stronger, safer and better able to meet the needs of a growing population.

The new reservoir – which is on the ridge above the National Hockey Stadium – will provide three times more water storage for the Melrose area.

Councillor Iona Pannett, who chairs Wellington City Council’s Environment Committee, says the Council has done a lot of work over the past 20 years to earthquake-strengthen existing reservoirs, build new ones to stringent seismic standards and install automatic shut-off valves so the tanks don’t empty if the pipe network is damaged.

“About 66 percent of the water in the city is now stored in reservoirs that have been seismically strengthened and more than 95 percent have shut-off valves.”

The new Mt Albert Park reservoir will be more resilient during a severe earthquake and also allow for population growth over the next 80 years. It will replace the older of the park’s two reservoirs, which was built in 1910. The other one, built in 1954, is not on the list to be strengthened or replaced at this stage.

Cr Pannett says reservoirs are frequently located in city parks and reserves so it is great that the new ones are being designed in a way that is more in keeping with the environment.

“When the reservoir is complete in about a year’s time, there will be full landscaping over the top which will enhance this popular area and provide additional recreation space.”

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Mt Albert Park has extensive walking tracks and expansive views over Lyall Bay, Evans Bay and the eastern suburbs and people will be able to continue to enjoy the park throughout the construction period.

Some small diversions and temporary tracks will be in place for the next few months to avoid the construction site but these should only add a few minutes to usual walking times.

In recent years, the Council has replaced the Messines Road reservoirs in Karori and strengthened reservoirs in Newtown, Johnsonville, Khandallah, Newlands and Maupuia. Further work is planned this financial year on reservoirs in Newlands, Linden and Roseneath.

Quick facts about the new reservoir:
• Estimated cost: $3.5 million (including design)
• 2200m³ reservoir replaces the existing 810m³ reservoir
• Rectangular in shape
• 25m long x 17m wide x 7m deep
• Reinforced concrete floors and walls
• Precast concrete roof structure
• Excavation will involve removing 1475m³ of surplus material including demolition of the existing reservoir
• Work is being managed by Wellington Water on behalf of Wellington City Council

ENDS

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