FAQs
Clear Harbour Alliance is an alliance partnership involving Metrowater and engineering companies GHD, Opus International Consultants and Downer EDI Works.
Working in an alliance partnership is a relatively new way of undertaking large infrastructure projects in New Zealand. It is a partnership where the client works more collaboratively with engineering design and construction companies to better deliver projects. Rather than different parties being in charge of different parts of a project, all parties are involved from the very beginning of the project through to the very end. This means that requirements and issues are communicated better, responsibility for the project is shared and a better result is the outcome.
We are upgrading the combined wastewater and stormwater drainage system in the project areas. This will be done in most cases by building a separated drainage system.
To reduce the volume of wastewater pollution entering the Waitemata Harbour from the Kingsland and Eden Terrace areas.
Construction is planned to start in January 2008 and will take 30 months. Where will you be working? The southern part of the Motions Creek catchment, which includes both sides of the Symonds Street ridge and the area between the North Western Motorway and New North Road as far as School Road in Morningside. It also includes some areas north of View Road in Mt Eden and west of Normanby Road (see project area map on the home page (add link)).
We will be seeking the permission of property owners well before doing any works on any property. If you are a property owner, keep an eye out for a letter from Clear Harbour Alliance in your letterbox.
We will try to cause as little disruption as possible when we are undertaking work in your area. The length of time that we will be working in your street or your property will vary depending on what is required. However, in most instances most of the work will be installing the new pipes. The actual switch over to the separated drainage system will not take very long, thus any disruption to you in terms of how you use your water should be limited.
We do not usually need to cut off the water supply. The majority of time we spend on your property is involved in constructing the new pipes. The actual time taken to change your connection to your new pipes is short, so typical household water use is not normally affected. However, there may be some cases where we ask you to minimise the amount of wastewater your property creates for a short time (likely to be about an hour) e.g. by stopping the washing machine or dishwasher. If you are a commercial property that produces a large amount of wastewater, your circumstance may need to be addressed differently. Please raise this with us when you receive your drainage plan so that we can discuss how we can best minimise disruption to you.
The LGA is the legislation under which Metrowater carries out the maintenance and upgrade of the drainage system. There are two sections of the LGA which are of specific relevance to this project:
- s459 - Under section 459, Council have the ability to require works to be undertaken if they are in the best interests of the community and the environment. If Clear Harbour Alliance do not carry out the upgrades to your private drainage, Council may require you to undertake the work at your own cost at a future date.
- s461 - Section 461 relates to where private drainage passes over neighbouring properties and the rights relating to the maintenance of this drainage. If this section of the act is applicable to your property, more information will have been provided on the back of your drainage plan (on the right hand side).
More information and a copy of the LGA can be found on the website www.legislation.govt.nz by searching under “statutes”.
All works undertaken by Clear Harbour Alliance as part of the drainage upgrade project are funded through Metrowater and Auckland City Council. There will be no additional cost to the property owner.
The machinery required to reinstate the road surface to its original condition is expensive and disruptive. Therefore we reinstate road surfaces in large sections at once as this is the most efficient and least disruptive means.
In the interim the road surface is patched temporarily, which is not to be confused for the final reinstatement. Streets are generally reinstated after all the properties in it have been completed.
We endeavour to do the best job possible when carrying out this work.
However, if for any reason you are not happy with the work that is being or has been carried out, please feel free to contact us via any of the methods listed on the Contact Us page so that we can investigate your concerns.
Glossary
Wastewater:
The dirty water that comes from within a home or business. Wastewater includes water and liquid wastes from hand basins, kitchen sinks, showers and baths, washing machines and toilets.
Stormwater:
The water that falls as rain. This is collected off surfaces that it can not pass through such as roofs or footpaths, roads and driveways.
Combined drainage system:
Both wastewater and stormwater flow through the same pipe to the wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater pollution: During wet weather, the volume of stormwater that enters the combined drainage system can cause diluted wastewater to find its way into a stream or waterway leading to the harbour.
Separated drainage system:
Wastewater and stormwater flow in separate pipes. Wastewater is carried to the wastewater treatment plant, and stormwater is discharged into local waterways or the harbour.
Stormwater soakage system:
A system where stormwater is drained into the ground through a soakhole or soakpit. These are used in areas where the ground is porous, such as volcanic rock. It is a simple way of disposing of stormwater by allowing it to soak into the ground without having to build pipes for it to flow to the harbour.
Soakhole:
This is an excavated pit where holes have been drilled into the volcanic rock and covered over without being filled in. Stormwater is drained to the hole and through this it drains into the ground.
Soakpit:
This is an excavated pit which is filled with coarse stone (such as scoria) and then covered over. Stormwater is drained to the pit and through this it drains into the ground.
Gully Trap:
A Gully Trap is a basin in the ground with a water seal (i.e. a u-bend) to prevent foul odours of the sewer reaching the surface. Gully traps are buried in the ground with the tops or surround open on the surface, usually with a raised lip to prevent ground water entering into the sewer. You often find these near your kitchen as it is often a discharge point where wastewater pipes such as those from sinks are fed.
Links
The following are links related to the project that may be of interest:
Partner Organisation Websites
www.metrowater.co.nz
www.ghd.co.nz
www.opus.co.nz
www.downerediworks.co.nz
Other Links
www.aucklandcity.govt.nz
www.ourwater.co.nz