In late January 2023, Auckland experienced an unprecedented deluge as a summer’s worth of rain fell in a single day. The torrential downpour caused widespread flash flooding across the city, resulting in nearly $2 billion in property damage. Among the affected areas was the suburb of Wairau Valley, where floodwaters inundated a critical wastewater pump station owned by Watercare, Auckland’s water and wastewater provider. Situated in a low-lying area, the station suffered catastrophic damage as water filled its 18-meter-deep pump well, submerged the large wastewater pumps, and destroyed the electronic controls. The pump station was rendered inoperable, disrupting services and requiring a week of round-the-clock repairs to restore full functionality.
To prevent a repeat of such damage, Watercare sought a reliable and durable flood protection solution. Enter Watersmart, New Zealand’s agent for FloodFree Flood protection barriers, manufactured in Australia by AWMA. When Watercare approached Watersmart, the temporary sandbag defences they were using required technicians to be onsite ahead of storm events and failed to hold back floodwaters during the January storm. Elliot Olsen from Watersmart collaborated closely with Watercare’s Emily McIntosh to assess the pump station’s vulnerabilities. They identified that demountable flood barriers would provide the best protection for the building’s entrances while offering ease of use and accessibility. The FloodFree barriers are composed of lightweight aluminium panels that can be quickly slotted into permanently installed end pieces. When not in use, the panels are easily removed, ensuring minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.
Implementation began with precise measurements of the entranceways. At the back entrance, a combination of concrete block nib walls and a demountable flood barrier was designed to create a dry area in front of the door. For the front roller door, a two-part demountable barrier system, including a removable central post, was recommended to accommodate vehicle access when needed. Once the design was finalized and the barriers arrived on site, Watercare contracted Pipeline & Civil to carry out the installation. The barriers were seamlessly integrated into the site, offering robust protection against future flood events.
With the new flood barriers in place, Watercare has fortified its infrastructure against extreme weather events. Watersmart’s tailored solution has not only safeguarded the pump station but also highlighted the importance of proactive flood management in a changing climate. As Auckland grapples with the growing risks of severe storms, innovations like the FloodFree barrier are proving essential in protecting both critical infrastructure and the communities that rely on it.
