Almost nine months after it was battered by Cyclone Gabrielle – the water supply in the Auckland coastal community of Muriwai is back.
Contractors are connecting the network back to the treatment plant, which was buried when the cyclone hit in February 2023.
Watercare general manager Suzanne Lucas said after the cyclone, there was “a lot of damage” to pipes and electrical cables, and some tanks were broken by landslips.
For eight and a half months, residents have relied on temporary tankers for their water supply.
The restoration of the network means 200 households will again have regular access to water.
Muriwai resident Clare Bradley said sometimes while relying on the tanker, “the water supply evaporates and the water just stops running”.
“The good thing about having supply from their plant established is people won’t run out of water,” said Bradley.
But the plant won’t be able to treat as much water as it used to, as access to one of the springs has been blocked off. It is under a slip face, and can still be dangerous to get to.
AUT construction expert John Tookey said the issue is ongoing.
“We have been subject over successive governments to very low percentile investment in infrastructure. Throughout OECD countries that monitor this, we’re on the lower end.”
Water infrastructure repairs and upgrades following Cyclone Gabrielle are ongoing in other areas, but in Auckland alone, there have been over 180 water and wastewater assets damaged, at a cost of up to $100 million.
While the cables and pipework at Muriwai have been relocated to better protected areas, Lucas added: “We don’t believe this will be a permanent solution long term here."
SHARE ME