New water main for Ōtaki to improve industrial fire protection

Work to install a new ‘fire loop’ water main along Riverbank Road in Ōtaki is about to begin.

The ‘fire loop’, which is a water line specifically for the provision of fire protection, is a key project to improve water supply to the township’s industrial zone in the event of a fire emergency, as well supporting any future growth.

Project contractor Groundworks Limited will undertake the project in two stages beginning next week. Stage one includes installing 750 metres of new 200mm diameter water main on Riverbank Road. This work is set to be completed by the end of August 2023.

Stage 2 involves 1000 metres of new 200mm diameter water mains on Aotaki Street and extending the existing 300mm diameter water main on Mill Road by a further by 230m. This work is set to be completed by the end of December 2023.

Pipes will be laid within the road and berm area after a trench has been dug. This means you’ll see diggers, trucks and construction equipment on Riverbank Road during these works. Traffic management will be in place and detours might be necessary at times. Hours of work will be 7:00am to 7.00pm Monday to Friday.

When the pipe installation is finished, we’ll need to shut down the water supply in some areas to connect the new pipe into the existing network. We’ll let affected people know before any water out.