Pookeno-Tuakau wastewater capacity

Pookeno and Tuakau are experiencing rapid growth, bringing exciting new opportunities for local development, business expansion, and community growth.

However, this growth also presents challenges, particularly when it comes to managing the capacity of our wastewater systems.

We are reaching our contractually agreed capacity limit for wastewater services for our Pookeno and Tuakau communities sooner than anticipated.

Additionally, the wastewater trunk main, which conveys flows from these areas, is also approaching capacity limits.

This poses a challenge for future developments in these areas, as the system needs to accommodate both current residents and new growth.

While we are confident that there is sufficient capacity for developments that have been granted consent or are currently being processed prior to 1 February 2025, the system’s actual capacity can only be confirmed as wastewater flows are added.

To address this, we’re working on finding solutions to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with the expansion, supporting the long-term growth of these communities.

FAQs

If you already live in a house in Pookeno or Tuakau, this issue will not affect you. Your home is already connected to Council’s wastewater system, and that connection will stay in place.

If your property is under construction, or you have an approved subdivision or a building consent issued before 1 February 2025, there is no need to worry. There is enough capacity in the current wastewater network for these properties.

If you have an approved resource consent for your subdivision, the development can continue as planned. Each lot will be granted a wastewater connection, and capacity has been set aside for your project.

If your consent was issued before February 1 2025, there is capacity for your project in the current wastewater network. For commercial or industrial developments, contact us via info@waidc.govt.nz to confirm how this might impact you.

Subdivision consents lodged before February 1 2025, have been factored into the current wastewater capacity. If your consent gets approved, you can proceed with your development.

If you have not applied for consent yet, the current wastewater constraints may impact your ability to develop.

Having land zoned for residential use or being part of an appeal in the Proposed District Plan does not guarantee that Council services, like wastewater, are available for your property.

Development of Future Urban Zoned land also depends on available infrastructure. For more specific advice and to confirm how this affects you, please get in touch with us at info@waidc.govt.nz while Council works on finding solutions.

There are no new environmental risks beyond those we already manage. If the wastewater system reaches capacity, there may be a higher risk of overflows.

However, as the population grows, we will continue to manage wastewater discharge within the existing consent for the Pukekohe Wastewater Treatment Plant (PWWTP), ensuring we protect the environment and stay within safe limits

Council will consider wastewater system capacity when considering approval of future developments to ensure that new growth does not put too much strain on the network beyond it’s capability.

This ensures that we continue to protect the environment and manage growth responsibly, without overloading the system.

Council is actively exploring all available options to address these constraint issues, including investigations into potential infrastructure upgrades and other solutions to ensure the long-term resilience of our wastewater network in Pookeno and Tuakau.

Pookeno-Tuakau wastewater capacity

FAQs

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