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In 2023, Morphum were engaged by Auckland Council to complete the detailed design, and physical works supervision for the upgrade of several council owned water treatment plants serving various facilities. One of which, was the Piha Domain water treatment plant.
The Piha Domain water treatment plant takes groundwater extracted from a bore within the Piha Domain campground before treating and distributing to a number of local facilities, including several public toilet blocks, campground kitchen, laundry and ablutions, campground manager’s house, tennis clubrooms, Piha Library, Piha Bowling Club, and an emergency supply to the Piha Surf Club should it be required.
The Piha Domain Water Treatment Plant and associated water supply network is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the local community. The 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle extreme weather events saw the local community relying heavily on Piha Domain and its facilities for support in the wake of the events, turning the site and system into an acting ‘Civil Defence Hub’. Now, with an upgraded system, the community will have a contingency in the event of emergency where local residents can seek shelter, support and drinking water.
As part of this upgrade, the treatment system was brought up to standard with the latest Taumata Arowai drinking water rules and regulations. The project also included a replacement of the existing generator to a new, larger generator able to simultaneously run the bore pump, treatment system and distribution pumps (as well as emergency lighting and operation of the gas califont hot water system) enabling the water supply system to continue operation and provide potable drinking water to the community (as well as hot showers etc.) in the event of a power outage.
Morphum worked closely with Auckland Council clients, maintenance operators, and local stakeholders to prepare a design that was compliant with the latest Taumata Arowai rules, regulations and guidance as well as meeting the auxiliary objectives to improve resilience within the community. Morphum prepared all necessary design documentation and drawings, supported Auckland Council and oversaw the physical works install on behalf of Auckland Council.
The physical works were completed in early September 2024 and with the site now fully operational, providing ongoing access to clean drinking water for the Piha community.
