Woods has delivered pump station solutions for some of New Zealand’s most significant residential developments — combining civil, surveying, planning, and digital expertise to create infrastructure that meets environmental standards, minimises operational risk, and supports long-term community growth. 

Here are four examples of our pump station work in action:

Three Kings Quarry Pump Station, Auckland

As part of the Three Kings Quarry redevelopment, Woods provided engineering, planning, and surveying services for a wastewater pump station designed to service approximately 900 residential lots.

The pump station includes a specialist overflow system that allows discharge to soakage via a milliscreen and a dedicated bunded storage area. The milliscreen was engineered to capture floatables during overflow events, reducing environmental risk and minimising maintenance.

One of the major challenges was constructing the rising main in an established residential area with volcanic rock substrate. The rising main route included construction through the quarry’s soakage zone and the installation of a pipe bridge ascending the quarry wall — all requiring careful coordination and design innovation.

Hunua Views Vacuum Wastewater Pump Station, Ramarama, Auckland

Woods provided full engineering services for the vacuum wastewater pump station at the 1,000-lot Hunua Views development. Delivered in collaboration with global vacuum system experts FloVac, the project involved the co-development of new vacuum sewer design standards with Watercare.

As part of the process, Woods, the developer, and Watercare undertook a site visit to existing vacuum sewer systems under construction in Christchurch. Upon completion, this became the largest vacuum wastewater station in Watercare’s network.

Woods introduced design efficiencies to reduce the station’s physical footprint and optimise long-term maintenance, lowering both capital and operational costs. Our digital services team also created a BIM model of the completed pump station through 3D scanning.
The project was recognised with a 2022 Best Design Award from the Designers Institute of New Zealand in the Built Environment category.

Milldale Wastewater Pump Station, Wainui/Pine Valley, Auckland

Woods provided engineering and planning services for the wastewater pump station at the 4,500-lot Milldale development. The station was initially designed to service approximately 330 lots, with capacity for an additional 800 connections in future stages. It was vested to Watercare upon completion.

Due to the station’s overflow discharging into a significant ecological protection area, a best practicable option (BPO) assessment was required to ensure environmental compliance.

The project also included construction of a wastewater tunnel beneath State Highway 1 and Millwater Parkway. The construction of tunnel pits and future manholes involved continuously piled shafts to mitigate ground settlement and protect nearby infrastructure.

Long Bay Pump Station and Tunnel, Auckland

At the 2,500-lot Long Bay development, Woods delivered engineering, surveying, and planning services for a wastewater pump station and a one-kilometre tunnel up to 35 metres deep.

Given the sensitivity of the receiving environment, the pump station design included the highest levels of overflow control. The tunnel and associated wells required specialised design to manage the high water table and depth below sea level. Installed using an open-faced tunnel boring machine (TBM), the tunnel served a dual purpose: conveying wastewater via gravity between catchments (eliminating the need for a second pump station), and providing emergency storage to reduce infrastructure costs and operational risk.