Replacing ageing water infrastructure across 10 streets without unnecessarily disrupting the community required careful planning and the right construction methods.
Kerry Drainage & Civil delivered 2.2km of new watermain pipeline and 157 service connections in Kelston, using trenchless techniques to minimise excavation and reinstatement.
As part of Watercare’s Proactive Network Renewals Programme, KDCivil helped move the water network away from a traditional “run to failure” approach towards the planned renewal of ageing infrastructure. The programme aimed to reduce leakage and asset failures while improving the reliability of water services for customers and communities.
From early planning to delivery
Kerry Drainage & Civil was initially engaged under an Early Contractor Involvement contract, contributing construction methodology, programme planning, health and safety, stakeholder communications and procurement expertise.
This early involvement allowed the team to develop a practical delivery strategy, identify risks, coordinate existing services and plan construction activities before work began. Following this initial phase, KDCivil was awarded the contract to deliver proactive watermain renewals across 10 streets in Kelston.
The physical works included installing 2.2km of 100 NB PE100 watermain pipeline and 157 service connections between March and August 2022.
A targeted approach to trenchless construction
Horizontal directional drilling was used wherever practical to reduce excavation, limit disruption to residents and minimise reinstatement requirements.
One section beneath a footpath presented a particular challenge. The alignment included a tight radius that conventional HDD equipment could not accommodate. Rather than resorting to open-cut excavation and the additional reinstatement that would involve, KDCivil proposed using its specialised KD1800 Pit Drill, which could navigate the tighter alignment.
This alternative approach allowed the team to overcome the site constraint while avoiding unnecessary excavation.
Minimising disruption for the community
Working across residential streets required careful coordination to maintain water services and manage the impact of construction on local residents.
Kerry Drainage & Civil scheduled several water shutdowns during night shifts to reduce disruption to affected households. The team also completed thorough investigations of existing underground services before construction began, helping identify potential conflicts early and avoid unexpected delays during installation.
By combining early contractor involvement, detailed planning and specialist trenchless equipment, Kerry Drainage & Civil delivered the renewals with a focus on efficient construction and minimising the impact on the surrounding community.
Renewing infrastructure for the future
The project delivered 2.2km of new watermain pipeline and 157 service connections across Kelston, supporting Watercare’s proactive approach to maintaining and improving Auckland’s water network.
