Aro Street drinking water pipe renewal
We are installing a new underground rider main, or secondary pipe, to provide drinking water to properties on the southern side of Aro Street. The existing pipe is old, in poor condition, and has a history of leaks and bursts.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact:
Tiaki Wai, 0800 TIAKI WAI (0800 842 549)
Construction to install the new pipe will begin on Monday 24 August, and we aim to complete works by December 2026. Working hours will be 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, to minimise disruption to you and your community.
This project will increase the resilience of the drinking water network and reduce the risk of further bursts and leaks.
What is happening?
We are installing a new underground rider main, or secondary pipe, to provide drinking water to properties on the southern side of Aro Street. The existing pipe is old, in poor condition, and has a history of leaks and bursts.
This project has been in development since 2024. You may remember investigations work done in 2025 by Wellington Water to confirm the location and condition of the current pipe.
The new pipe will sit mostly under the footpath and cycleway on Aro Street to avoid other pipes and services, including wastewater, gas, and communications lines.
Our contractor GP Friel Ltd will use a mix of open trench and drilling to reduce the amount of excavation and dust created during construction.
We will also install new lateral connections to properties and take the opportunity to retrofit larger toby boxes. This is a cost-effective upgrade that will enable any future rollout of water meters. We are not installing water meters at this time.
A staged approach to the work
We are staging construction in seven sections to minimise disruption, as shown in the image below. There will be some overlap between the sections so we can get the work done efficiently.
Expected timeframes
Please note the timeframes shown in the table below may change during the project:
|
Section |
Location |
Timeframe |
|
1 |
Willis Street to Ohiro Road |
Five weeks from 24 August |
|
2 |
Ohiro Road to Boston Terrace |
Six weeks from late August to September |
|
3 |
Boston Terrace to Alameda Terrace |
Six weeks from late August to October |
|
4 |
Alameda Terrace to Hōniana Te Puni Street |
Six weeks from September to October |
|
5 |
Hōniana Te Puni Street to 125 Aro Street |
Five weeks from September to October |
|
6 |
125 Aro Street to Durham Street |
Nine weeks from September to October |
|
7 |
Durham Street to 229 Aro Street |
Seven weeks from September to October |
These timeframes include all works including trenching, testing, commissioning and reinstatement.
Traffic management
Our approved traffic management plan during working hours includes a single lane closure, road cones, stop/go signage, and speed limit reduction. Excavated areas will be covered to allow pedestrians and vehicles to travel safely through the worksite after working hours.
Emergency vehicles will be able to pass through the site. Car parks and sections of the cycleway will be closed only temporarily, in the immediate area around the works. Traffic managers will guide cyclists safely through the worksite as needed.
Buses will operate as usual, however some bus stops may be temporarily relocated. Signage will be in place, and traffic managers will redirect passengers during working hours.
Noise and vibration during construction
The works are planned during the day, so the noise and vibration created should not cause significant disruption. However, if you have any health issues or other concerns about the impact, please contact us.
We are engaging with Aro Street retailers directly to minimise disruption to the shops. If you are a business owner and need a consistent water supply, please contact us so we can explore options to support your needs.
Short shutdowns to your water supply
As each section of the new pipe and lateral connections are completed and brought online, there will be a short shutdown of your water supply. We will provide notice of times in advance.
Get more information and updates
For further information about the project or to receive regular updates, email engagement@tiakiwai.co.nz or phone 0800 TIAKI WAI (0800 842 549).
For urgent concerns while works are underway, please approach the onsite project manager.
Thank you for your understanding as we upgrade your drinking water network.