Poroti Water Treatment Plant upgrade

  • Project typeWater treatment plant upgrade
  • Project valueTBC
  • Project scheduleOctober 2026 to November 2028
  • Contractor nameTBC
An aerial view of the Poroti Water Treatment Plant.

We are carrying out a major upgrade of the Poroti Water Treatment Plant to help strengthen water security for Whangārei.

The Poroti Water Treatment Plant currently treats water from the Poroti Spring (Waipao Stream) and distributes drinking water to residents and businesses in Poroti, Maungatapere, and parts of Raumanga and Maunu, including the hospital. 

The Waipao Stream comes from the Poroti Springs and is a critical water source for the city. It is also an important water source for local hapū who manage the Poroti Springs through the Whatitiri Māori Reserves Trust.

Why the project is needed

The Poroti Water Treatment Plant is being upgraded to improve performance during high-turbidity events, where large amounts of sediment and other suspended particles are washed into the water during heavy rainfall. 

The plant is also currently limited to treating high-quality water from the Poroti Spring only. Following the upgrade, the plant will be able to treat water from the Wairua River as well.

The upgrade will address these issues by introducing significant process improvements and capacity enhancements. 

As a result, the Poroti Water Treatment Plant will have significantly improved performance and provide better drought resilience for Whangārei’s drinking-water supply. 

About the project 

This project will deliver a range of new infrastructure at the Poroti Water Treatment Plant, including water storage tanks, pumps, improved water-treatment systems, backup power supplies and upgrades to the plant's electrical and control systems.

The work also includes a new tank to help manage incoming water, additional treatment equipment to remove fine particles and improve water quality, new disinfection systems, sludge ponds and recycling facilities, and improvements to the plant's pipework and support services. 

Some older equipment and infrastructure will also be removed and replaced as part of the upgrade.

Timeframes

We expect to award the tender for construction in October 2026 with works to begin soon after. 

The project is expected to take approximately 24 months to complete, beginning with earth works during the 2026 construction season.

Construction will start in areas that do not cause disruption to the plant’s operations. 

Later stages of the project will involve work on operational areas of the plant, requiring a temporary closure. Any impacts on residents will be communicated closer to the time.

Location

748P+JVQ Poroti, Poroti 0179  View Map

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