News and media

High water use in Martinborough has increased the risk of the town triggering Water Restriction Level 2 in the coming weeks.

A key upgrade to the region’s critical water infrastructure has been delivered ahead of schedule and is already having a positive effect on the region’s water supply.

“The Te Mārua Water Treatment Plant is a critical piece of the region’s water supply as it provides around 45% of the region’s drinking water,” says Greater Wellington councillor and Te Awa Kairangi Subcommitee chair Ros Connelly, whose council fund and own the region’s water treatment plants.

“The first of two stages of recent upgrades completed by Wellington Water mean the plant is now able to treat and supply an additional 20 million litres of drinking water per day.

“This milestone is great news and an important step towards increasing Wellington’s water supply resilience, especially as the region enters summer, when we experience tighter water restrictions.”

Today’s karakia ceremony for the Kaitoke Pipe Bridge marks the project’s completion and the official handover of the bridge to Greater Wellington Regional Council and the public.

Wellington Water’s latest modelling shows that work to reduce water loss on the public network has had a significant impact on the risk of tighter water restrictions this year, but continued investment is needed to hold the risk at bay.

Current modelling shows the risk of Water Restriction Level 2 has gone from 100% last summer to 40% this summer, Level 3 from 70% to 14%, and Level 4 from 33% to 4%.

Wellington Water and Wellington City Council continues critical refurbishment of aging assets at the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wellington Water is working closely with Veolia, the Seaview Wastewater Treatment plant operator, to address the continuation of increased odour levels associated with the plant.

South Wairarapa District Council and Wellington Water are inviting the public to feedback on a crucial proposal to improve the performance of the Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant and provide better environmental outcomes.

Wellington City, Hutt City, and Porirua City will enter Water Restrictions Level 1 at 12:01am on Sunday 29 September. These cities will join Upper Hutt City and the South Wairarapa District who maintain Water Restrictions Level 1 all year round.

Wellington Water’s Board has today announced the appointment of Pat Dougherty as Wellington Water’s new Chief Executive.

New figures from Wellington Water show a slight reduction in water loss over the past financial year as the region gets closer to summer and Water Restriction Level 1 at the end of the month.