Have you ever thought about the journey water takes to get to your tap? Or the journey once it leaves? 💧💩
We often take it for granted that when we turn on the tap, water just flows out. But have you ever considered the incredible journey that water takes to reach your home, and then where it goes once it leaves? Our city’s water network is a marvel of engineering and dedication, ensuring we have access to clean, safe water every day.
Our water supply network in Lower Hutt is nothing short of massive:
Total Length of Pipes: 1845 kilometres – that’s equivalent to driving from Cape Reinga to Bluff! 🚗💨
Drinking Water Pipes: 693 kilometres of pipes just to deliver drinking water to our homes and businesses. 🏠🏢
Wastewater Pipes: 666 kilometres of pipes to collect and treat our wastewater. 💩🚽
Stormwater Pipes: 463 kilometres of pipes to manage rainwater and prevent flooding. 🌧️🌊
Our extensive network ensures the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater from residential and business properties, as well as managing surface water runoff to minimise flooding and its adverse effects. This infrastructure supports the health and safety of our residents and the environment.
I’m proud to be part of a council that is stepping up our investment in three waters with $1.6 billion over the next ten years to begin the necessary renewals. It’s not an easy decision, and it’s certainly not glamorous, but investing in our city’s most vital infrastructure is crucial for our future.
Next time you take a sip of water, remember the incredible network of pipes working tirelessly beneath our feet to make it possible. And when you shower or flush, think about the equally hardworking wastewater pipes handling the rest! 💦👏
This significant investment will help ensure that we have infrastructure that is fit for the future, connects and protects the taonga that is Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt, for generations to come.
For more detailed information, you can view our full Draft Infrastructure Strategy.
Or, do you want to find your house on a map and work out the journey your water takes? Visit this map, turn on the Waters Underground layers, and then zoom in to your property.