Once in a century wastewater upgrade to get underway

Published on 12 August 2026

Relining, replacing and upgrading of 1928 wastewater pipes part of three-year project.

Waitaki District Council and Verve projects, working alongside contractors Hadlee and Brunton and Whitestone Contracting Ltd, will begin relining, replacing and upgrading Oamaru’s near-century old earthenware pipework in a three-year project designed to secure and improve the network for future generations.

Around 9.25km of the network will be the focus of their work, following investigation and CCTV assessment undertaken over the last five years.

In 1928, the population of Oamaru was 7,245. Today it’s 14,300. Since then, Weston and Kakanui have also been connected to the system, meaning it serves over 16,000 people today.

The first section of work will upgrade the wastewater pipe that runs along Cross Street, Severn Street and Coquet Street, where it connects with the Humber Street pipe to the treatment plant at TY Duncan Road.

This pipework needs upgrading to a larger diameter, as it receives wastewater from Holmes Hill, Waiareka Junction and Weston – all of which have grown significantly since it was installed in 1928.

Investigation work along these pipelines will involve checking for existing wastewater laterals, and contractors will be contacting property owners to request access to undertake this work.

This work is being planned to be done before NZTA resurfaces the SH1 section of Severn Street.

This is the first of four packages of work, aiming at renewal and relining the wastewater network. Council will provide updates as the project progresses.

ENDS

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