Thames Street water upgrade to improve flexibility and reliability
Published on 10 September 2026
Three separate days of work will get underway this weekend to improve reliability and add flexibility of some of the country’s oldest in-service water infrastructure. Just part of the everyday work behind everyday life in the Waitaki district.
In January, one of the cast-iron water main valves began leaking at the intersection of Wear and Thames Street. Investigatory work identified the issue, and after hydrovac and replacing the dirt – the leak was temporarily stopped without further excavation.
Council’s water engineers recognised that replacing the valve provided the opportunity to improve the overall water network and reduce future disruption to Ōamaru businesses.
The current supply of drinking water to Lower Thames Street businesses through cast iron 19th century pipework manufactured by Glasgow engineering firm Alley and MacLellan for the original Oamaru Supply. The current valve placement means that any work on the network would require shutting water off to a large number of businesses.
The upcoming work will add in new valves in two locations – allowing the network to be shut off in sections. Once the new valves are in place, the main replacement of the Wear and Thames intersection valve can take place within minimum disruption to the CBD.
Council is planning the work to take place outside of most business hours and the new valves will mean the main replacement work will not affect the majority of businesses. Council has also been working with the Brydone Hotel and Empire Hotel to minimise disruption to both.
The water will be fully restored outside of the planned work periods.
Letters outlining the planned work programme have been delivered to those business who may be affected by this work – and Council has also advised other Thames Street businesses to run their taps on Monday morning following the work to flush their system.
Council and their contractors appreciate the cooperation of local businesses as we get on with upgrade some of our often unnoticed, but always needed, infrastructure.
ENDS
media@waitaki.govt.nz