Watermain renewal works are underway on Stewart Street and Washer Avenue as part of the Whakatāne District Council Watermain Renewal Programme. Watermain renewal involves replacing older underground water pipes with new ones to reduce the risk of leaks and outages, improve reliability, and support future demand on the water network.
Construction began in mid‑April 2026 and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2026. Work on Stewart Street will continue through to June, with works on Washer Avenue scheduled during June.
The section of pipe being replaced on Stewart Street is located alongside Whakatāne Hospital. Because this area is regularly used by hospital staff, patients and members of the community with mobility needs, the work is being carried out in stages rather than following a standard construction approach.
The contractor, Draintech, has started with early works to locate underground services and confirm where the new pipe can be safely installed. Some of this early work is taking place in on‑street car parks near the Hospital PathLab and Renal Unit. To reduce disruption, this work is being completed on a Saturday, with all areas reinstated on the same day.
Once this early work is completed, there may be short pauses in on‑site activity while the next stages are planned. This allows access, parking and pedestrian safety to be carefully managed before full construction continues.
The work includes installing new water pipes using underground methods to reduce surface disturbance, renewing property water connections, replacing water meters and installing new meter boxes where required.
Some noise is expected while work is underway. Significant access disruptions are not anticipated, however if changes to vehicle access are required, affected properties will be contacted in advance. A short water shutdown will also be required when the new pipes are connected to the network. Residents will receive at least 48 hours’ notice by letter drop, including the exact date and time. The Council is also working with local schools to help minimise any impact on their operations.
If you have any questions or concerns about this work, please contact Whakatāne District Council Customer Services on 07 306 0500, or email info@whakatane.govt.nz.
We appreciate the community’s patience while this important mahi is completed.
