Auckland’s ageing wastewater pipes are being upgraded through a $45 million renewal programme that will extend their life by up to 50 years, improve network reliability and help reduce wastewater overflows into local waterways.

Watercare is relining wastewater pipes from the inside rather than digging them up, a cost effective approach that strengthens critical infrastructure while minimising disruption for local communities.

The $45 million programme sits within Watercare’s wider $13.8 billion capital investment plan from 2025 to 2034, with around a third of the funding dedicated to renewing and upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure across Auckland.

The three-year programme includes work already underway in Waterview, Castor Bay and Ōrākei, with more locations to follow as inspections continue.

Ōrākei Ward Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson says the programme will help protect Auckland’s waterways and ensure a reliable wastewater network for generations to come.

“Taking a proactive approach to renewing ageing wastewater pipes helps safeguard our communities and waterways, while avoiding the more disruptive and costly repairs that can result when issues are left too late.”

Watercare project manager Isileli Aholelei says relining restores structural integrity to ageing pipes and keeps them in service for longer without the need for full replacement.

“Relining strengthens old pipes and extends their life without major excavation. It’s an efficient way to improve reliability while keeping disruption to a minimum.

“In Waterview, more than two kilometres of wastewater pipe have already been investigated. The work will help reduce the risk of overflows into Oakley Creek and the Waitematā, where heavy rainfall can overwhelm the network and cause surcharges.

"Our Council counterparts are also in the area completing Stormwater and Wastewater separation of a combined network.

“In Castor Bay, relining will reduce infiltration into the wastewater network through cracks in ageing pipes, easing pressure on the system and reducing the risk of overflows.”

Aholelei says relining in Castor Bay and Waterview is on track to be completed by the end of June, with work in Ōrākei expected to finish by the end of August.

"Work in Ōrākei is progressing well, with more than half of the CCTV investigations now complete across the network.

"Given the age of the pipes – many dating back to the 1940s – these inspections are critical to understanding their condition and confirming the scope of targeted relining planned for later in the programme.”

Watercare asset lifecycle manager Jennifer Schierhout says early intervention is key to preventing failures and avoiding more disruptive repairs in the future.

“We’re targeting areas with known issues, including repeat operational problems and catchment constraints.

“As we work through inspections and renewals, the programme continues to evolve, allowing us to prioritise risk, support growth and maintain reliable services across the city.

"Reducing disruption is a major priority for us. We’re working closely with Auckland Transport and sharing our work programmes through national planning tools so we can coordinate work and support a ‘dig once’ approach wherever possible.”

About Watercare

Every day, we supply about 440 million litres of safe drinking water to 1.7 million people in Auckland. We also collect and treat their wastewater.

Over the next 10 years, we will carry out more than 1000 projects to improve and expand our water and wastewater infrastructure – investing an average of $3.8 million every day ($13.8 billion in total).

Our infrastructure investment programme will help to keep our precious environment healthy by reducing the frequency of wastewater overflows onto land and into waterways.

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