Pahiatua Water Supply Project

The Pahiatua Water Supply Project involves installing about 3 kilometres of new drinking water infrastructure, including a new transfer main and trunk main. The project will improve the capacity, resilience and long-term performance of Pahiatua's water network.

The existing water riser main is 38 years old and has been leaking. Parts of the current pipeline also run through private property, making maintenance and access more difficult. The new pipeline will provide a more reliable and resilient water supply for the community.

Construction is expected to begin in September 2026 and take approximately one year to complete.

Work will take place along Boundary Road, Julia Street, Dawson Street, Edward Street, Huxley Street, Wakeman Street, Titoki Street and at the reservoir access track. The project also includes a crossing of State Highway 2.

You can expect to see excavators, trucks, service-locating equipment, traffic management crews and construction workers operating throughout the project. Most excavation work will take place within the road corridor.

Most trenches will be about 1.4 metres deep, although some sections may need to be deeper depending on existing underground services and site conditions.

The project includes a new 200mm diameter transfer main and a new 400mm diameter trunk main.

Work will be completed in sections, generally between 100 and 400 metres long. Construction is starting at the Water Treatment Plant on Boundary Road before progressing through the project area. The project team intends to complete sections before moving on to the next area wherever possible.

This will vary depending on the length and complexity of each section. Some sections may take up to two months to complete. Residents will receive advance notice before work begins in their area.

Temporary lane closures, road closures and traffic management will be required throughout the project. These controls are necessary to keep workers, residents and road users safe. Traffic management will be communicated before work begins in each area.

Yes. The project team will work to maintain property access wherever possible. Temporary restrictions may occur when work is directly outside a property, but vehicle crossing plates will be used when necessary and affected residents will be advised in advance.

Bins will need to be put on the other side of the road for collection when work is happening on a street. We will let residents know ahead of time if they will need to do this.

Yes. On-street parking may be temporarily unavailable in areas where construction is taking place. Residents may need to park on the opposite side of the street or within their property during works.

Some properties may experience brief water shutdowns during connection works. Advance notice will be provided before any planned interruption.

A short network-wide shutdown may be required during final commissioning of the new pipeline. If this is required, the community will receive advance notice and regular updates.

Construction will affect some businesses along the project route. The project team will work directly with these businesses to maintain access and minimise disruption wherever possible.

The project includes a crossing beneath State Highway 2. Current planning indicates this work will require several night shifts with temporary lane closures and traffic management in place. Further details will be provided once traffic management approvals are confirmed.

The project will:

• Improve water network capacity and pressure.
• Ensuring drinking water supply is resilient.
• Support future growth and development in Pahiatua.
• Reduce future maintenance requirements.
• Relocate infrastructure away from private property.
• Improve access for future maintenance and repairs.

Yes. The project forms part of Council's wider programme of investment in water services across the district to improve resilience, accommodate growth and replace ageing infrastructure.

The project is being delivered by Tararua Alliance. Specialist subcontractors will also assist with activities such as service locating, state highway drilling and road surfacing.

Residents and businesses can contact the project team at any time. Email enquiries@tararuaalliance.co.nz or phone Tararua Alliance on (06) 374 5341.