Waverley Street Watermain Upgrade

Reliable water starts underground.

Project Overview

Client Tasman District Council

Location Richmond, Tasman

Service Water Infrastructure

Project Value $702,000

Duration 9 months

Completed 2022

• At a Glance

  • 770m of new watermain installed

  • Renewal of ageing asbestos cement network

  • Completed in a busy urban environment

  • Extensive stakeholder and school liaison

  • Delivered on time and within budget

  • Zero Lost Time Injuries (LTIs)

• The Challenge

  Reliable drinking water infrastructure is fundamental to every community, yet replacing ageing networks is rarely straightforward. The Waverley Street Watermain Upgrade involved renewing an ageing asbestos cement watermain servicing one of Richmond's established residential areas, replacing it with a modern network designed to improve reliability and long-term resilience.

  The project extended through a busy urban corridor connecting Gladstone Road, Wensley Road and several residential streets. Along the alignment sat more than 50 properties, multiple early childhood centres and schools, while beneath the surface lay a complex web of existing water, wastewater, power and telecommunications services that had to remain operational throughout construction

  The project presented far more than a conventional pipeline installation. The proposed alignment crossed an operational school, a former landfill site, busy public roads, recreational facilities and existing underground services. The original construction methodology also relied on long directional drill installations, introducing significant technical, financial and programme risk before construction had even begun.

• What Mattered

  Maintaining water supply was only one part of the challenge.

  Residents needed uninterrupted access to their homes, schools required safe pedestrian routes during busy drop-off and pick-up periods, and businesses relied on traffic continuing to move through the area. At the same time, the project involved the safe removal and disposal of asbestos cement pipework, requiring specialist handling procedures and careful environmental management to protect workers and the wider community.

• Our Approach

  Tasman Civil approached the project with detailed planning and proactive communication. Before construction began, the team worked closely with Tasman District Council and Tonkin + Taylor to investigate existing underground services, identifying opportunities to refine the final alignment and avoid potential conflicts before they became costly issues during construction.

  Traffic management was carefully staged to minimise disruption while maintaining safe access for residents, schools and local businesses. Temporary parking areas, clearly defined pedestrian routes and ongoing communication with affected stakeholders helped ensure the surrounding community could continue operating safely while construction progressed.

  As work advanced, the team responded collaboratively to unforeseen challenges, including repeated failures of the existing watermain that required emergency repairs by others. Tasman Civil adjusted traffic management, reallocated resources and assisted with excavation and reinstatement to help restore water services as quickly as possible, demonstrating a flexible, project-first approach throughout delivery.

  That collaborative mindset continued throughout delivery. A shared Project Charter aligned the client, consultant and contractor around common objectives, while regular site meetings, team workshops and open communication ensured decisions could be made quickly and confidently as the project evolved.

  Technically, the works demanded precise management of deep excavations, dewatering, service crossings and polyethylene pipeline construction. Every PE butt weld and electrofusion weld passed quality assurance testing first time, allowing the full 1.6-kilometre pipeline to be pressure tested successfully as a single installation before commissioning.

• The Outcome

  The completed upgrade provides Richmond with a more reliable and resilient drinking water network, replacing ageing infrastructure with a modern system designed to support future demand.

  Completed on time and within budget, the project was delivered with zero Lost Time Injuries while maintaining access for residents, schools and businesses throughout construction. Early identification of service conflicts, collaborative problem solving and thoughtful stakeholder management ensured the project delivered lasting value—not only through the infrastructure itself, but through the way it was delivered.

• Capabilities Demonstrated

  • Water Infrastructure

  • Watermain Renewals

  • Live Urban Construction

  • Underground Services Coordination

  • Asbestos Cement Pipe Removal

  • Traffic Management

  • Community & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Collaborative Contract Delivery

  • Quality Assurance & Commissioning

  • Environmental Management