By Evie Richardson
Photo: 123rf
A key water project is on track to be complete next year, supplying drinking water to 20 percent of Auckland's population.
The $143 million Huia 1 pipeline is now 90 percent finished, as the project moves into the penultimate stage.
Construction of the 15km pipe began in June 2019, a necessary measure to replace the previous 73-year-old pipe.
Watercare project manager Tim Manning said 45 percent of the pipeline was already in service, providing water to Titirangi, Blockhouse Bay, New Windsor, Green Bay, Hillsborough, Mount Roskill, and Epsom.
"Our crews are currently focused on completing the second-to-last stage of the replacement pipeline in Blockhouse Bay and Mt Roskill.
"We have less than 500 metres of the pipeline and a large line valve chamber left to be installed along White Swan Rd in Blockhouse Bay.
Manning said this section of the pipeline was set to be complete by the end of June.
He added that feedback from the public has been key throughout the project, as the team aimed to avoid disturbance.
"Everyone in the project team is driven to deliver the project as safely and efficiently as possible, while ultimately trying to minimise the overall disruption for Aucklanders.
"We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to install this critical piece of infrastructure for Auckland."
The final section of the pipeline was on track to be installed in Epsom around August and will travel from Gillies Avenue to St Andrews Road.