A major water pipe project in Island Bay is has missed deadline yet again after a string of delays and errors.
Severn Street, Island Bay, on 12 April. Photo: RNZ / Kirsty Frame
More than two years ago, work began on several streets between Island Bay and Owhiro Bay, an area in long need of repair.
The pipework was meant to be completed at the end of 2020.
After further scoping and design finalisation, Wellington Water said it would take until November 2021.
When that date passed last year, signs on Severn Street read completion for March this year.
Now, the latest deadline is next month.
A sign on Severn Street taken on 12 April. Photo: RNZ / Kirsty Frame
Resident Tim Cox described his frustration in many ways.
"It's a niggling, ongoing, never-ending, incessant hassle - it's one of those things that just drags on and on," he said.
He has kept letters from Wellington Water over the years, many with promises that have not been kept.
Wellington Water has said pipework was set to be completed by 3 May, with final reinstatement following afterwards.
Cox said he would believe it when he saw it.
"We've been told multiple times before [that] it's going to finish.
"You just kind of assume it's always going to be there, and it will be a pleasant surprise when it goes away."
Local councillor Fleur Fitzsimons said there had been a string of problems with the project and questions had been raised.
"We have been advised that contractors made mistakes, that repairs had to be redone, which is obviously deeply frustrating for residents. But if that was all, you could understand that," she said.
"On top of that, there's been missed deadlines, constant delays, water outages, and pretty catchy communication."
Project manager Francis Leniston said it was Covid-19 that had the biggest impact on the project, which has spanned over two lockdowns.
"The contractor we have engaged to complete the works on site has experienced rolling absences, which has slowed progress," Leniston said
Wellington Water admitted there had been mistakes, but said those did not contribute to the delays.
In August last year, newly-laid pipes failed quality testing and had to be replaced along three streets.
"A number of the welds in the new main had not passed their final inspection and testing. This involved a total of 68 welds in Severn Street," Leniston said.
"The issue was identified in August 2021 and since then the contractor has had crew working to replace the faulty welds at their cost."
There was another instance where the incorrect pipes were laid on a small section of the project. Six meters of pipe, out of more than 2000, had to be re-laid.
Again, Wellington Water said that did not contribute to any delays.
One resident set off fireworks after their pipes were finally reconnected to the new watermain - a cause for celebration.
Gillian Henderwood lives in one of the worst-hit homes on Severn Street, the worst-hit street both by the previous water issues and construction.
She said it had been important for her and her family to keep a positive mindset about the construction, for their mental health.
Last week their pipes were reconnected to the new line.
"[My husband] and I took a firework out and lit it off - which was embarrassing for the guys who were [working] but we were just like showing some sort of celebration of 'hey, it as actually happened'."
A map of the project. Photo: Wellington Water
Wellington Water said the the two-and-a-half-year project had involved the laying of more than two kilometres of watermain.
Seven properties have been impacted by the project, and the water issues the community had which kick-started the major project.
The pipework is scheduled to be complete 3 May 2022, with final reinstatement to follow shortly after.
