Wastewater is the used water that leaves our homes and businesses – from kitchens, laundries, bathrooms and toilets.

Wastewater contractor making repairs

Our plan

A healthy city depends on an efficient wastewater system to collect, treat and dispose of wastewater and to help protect our waterways. Our wastewater network was severely damaged in the earthquakes and was a significant focus of the SCIRT programme of repairs. While SCIRT achieved a lot, it has not been enough to restore the wastewater network to a fit-for-purpose condition.

We will spend $706 million on wastewater infrastructure over the next 10 years, including:

  • Renewing wastewater pipes ($358 million).
  • Lyttelton Harbour wastewater scheme ($42 million).
  • Akaroa wastewater scheme  ($35 million).
  • Renewing wastewater pump station 20 (Locarno Street) and its pressure main ($28 million).
  • Renewing trickling filter media at the Christchurch wastewater treatment plant ($27 million).

What’s changed after public feedback?

  • We are spending an extra $48 million over the next three years on improving the performance of the city’s wastewater network.
  • In our draft plan, we proposed deferring work to renew our wastewater pipe network. We now have sufficient funding to maintain our network in its current state.
  • We are also bringing forward work on a wastewater scheme for Wainui.