Kakahoroa Drive Works to Begin on Underground Pump Station

Whakatāne District Council said work on a new underground wastewater pump station at the corner of Buddle Street and Kakahoroa Drive will begin in early April.

Whakatāne District Council Manager Assets and Capital Delivery Jim Finlay said the new station will support the largest wastewater catchment in the district, operating alongside the existing McAlister Street pump station to transfer wastewater to the treatment plant. 

About 245 metres of new pumping main will be installed as part of the project. 

Tauranga-based GT Civil Limited will complete horizontal drilling, allowing the pump station, manholes and pipework to be built underground. 

Work will take place mainly in the grass berm at the Buddle Street and Kakahoroa Drive corner, within the road reserve and alongside the New World car park boundary.

The project will be delivered in stages to minimise the disruption to the surrounding businesses and road users, he said.

"Traffic management will be in place at certain times, but access to the Buddle Street service lane will be maintained throughout the project."

"There are no expected interruptions to wastewater or water services for properties along The Strand.” 

Council said it will work to minimise construction noise and vibration wherever possible. 

The work is expected to be complete by late August. 

Finlay said the prjoect is the first stage of a wider upgrade, including refurbishment of the McAlister Street pump station and renewal of the main connecting the network to the treatment plant.

"This pump station will provide additional capacity for future growth and help reduce the frequency and impact of wet weather overflow events." 

"The pump station will help move wastewater through the network more efficiently, rather than relying on gravity alone."

The upgrade is expected to increase the network’s capacity by around 80 percent.