Almost 100 years old

The Huia Filter Station in Waima entered service at the end of the 1920s, and is continuing to provide Aucklanders with safe water to drink and use. On the other side of the road, a short way up the hill towards Scenic Drive is the first pumping station. There have plans to reuse some of that old building. they have come to naught.

In its turn, the Huia station faces replacement over the next decade. Originally, the plan was to have it completed by 2028, but as almost nothing has yet been done, it is likely going to be some years after that.

Part of the delay has been due to the long shutdowns due to Covid in the last couple of years. However, another part of the delay is the loud objections raised by residents in this area; or so we are told. Almost all the objections to the plan were raised by residents. There is legitimate concern about the health of the trees with massive earthworks and building going on. The City Council was required to investigate whether there was Kauri dieback in the area where the work will take place. Apparently there is, raising the risk it will be spread by the building. There is a plan to minimise the risk.

On my walks and jogs I have seen home made signs outside properties seeking support to stop the project, because of the harm to the ecosystem, particularly bird life. Even now, for reasons I know not, there are fewer Tui than we have at Snells Beach, and the only common birds which appear to be more prolific here than the central city are doves. In the last few days, I have seen rather more Kereru than at Snells, and I accept that I may be looking in the wrong places at the wrong time.

The water level behind the Lower Nihotupu dam is lower than is comfortable for a growing city which has spent the last many months
conserving water. Something has to be done, and the new filter station project includes both another dam, and reuse of some of the stormwater runoff from the city.