Porirua’s population is expected to increase by between 11,800 and 29,400 people by 2048. The existing reservoir on Stemhead Lane provides water to parts of eastern Porirua and Whitby, but it doesn’t have sufficient water storage capacity to meet current and future growth in the area.

To ensure eastern Porirua has enough water reserved for natural disasters and population growth, an extra water storage tank (reservoir) needs to be built.

On Tuesday 13 July, Housing Minister Hon Dr Megan Woods announced the Government have allocated $136 Million of the Housing Acceleration Fund to help upgrade portions of eastern Porirua’s infrastructure. This funding includes the construction of a new reservoir. 

Porirua City Council in partnership with Kāinga Ora has starting site investigation work for a new reservoir, at the end of Stemhead Lane in Whitby, behind the one that’s already there.

To get a better understanding of the proposed reservoir location contractors will first clear a small amount of vegetation and then drill a series of small holes into the land to learn more about the soil quality. This work is anticipated to be completed in August.

If the site is suitable for a reservoir, there are few things we will need to do before construction will start.

Timeline

July/August 2021

• Vegetation clearance
• Ground investigation

Once this information is collected, if the site is suitable, the reservoir will be designed by Te Aranga.

• Share proposal and designs with Whitby community
• Apply for permission (outline plan of works) from Porirua City Council
• Apply for resource consent from Greater Wellington Regional Council
• Construction starts mid 2022
• Construction finishes 2025

Need to chat?

To speak with our contractors Te Aranga, please phone 0800 832 726.

For any questions about the process, please contact our Senior Stakeholder and Relationships Manager Josh Clark on 021 541 624 or 0800 801 601 (and ask to speak with Josh Clark).