The Tauwharenīkau River watermain pipe replacement is a key water supply resilience priority for Featherston. The project is going well. The project team have completed laying of the new pipe up to the points where the connection to Featherston’s watermain network will be made.

It’s now time to connect the new pipeline, and we are asking the Featherston community to help us conserve water to help this important work go ahead smoothly.

The watermain shutdown to connect the Tauwharenīkau River watermain pipeline to Featherston’s watermain network is scheduled to go ahead on Wednesday 1 April, from 7pm until 6am on Thursday 2 April.

This work will happen overnight. While the water supply will not be turned off, we are asking everyone in Featherston to actively conserve water.

Please avoid showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers.  

Your water will stay on, but pressure is likely to be lower.

By conserving water, the project team can refill the reservoir and keep supply normal for the Thursday morning.

Note that alongside the Featherston community conserving water, water tankers will be delivering drinking water from Greytown to the reservoir during the pipeline connection period.

If you need water during this period, you should fill up suitable containers before the water is turned off.

• Please do not use hot taps or appliances until after the end of the connection period – Thursday 2 April, 6am, when water supply is fully restored.
• In the event of very bad weather, work will be deferred to a later date.
• When the water supply is back to its usual pressure, the water may have a milky-white appearance. This is caused by small air bubbles in the water supply and will not affect taste or quality. We will try to eliminate most of the air from the system when the supply is fully restored. However, if air is still visible in your water, running a tap for a few minutes should clear it from your pipes.

Note to bulk water suppliers: Please don’t draw down at any time of day on Wednesday 1 April 2026.

Project advice letters have been delivered to residents who have been affected by previous trial shutdowns and residents living within the vicinity of water tankers filling up and travelling to the Boar Bush reservoir.  

Construction on the pipeline project begin on 1 December 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2026. Find out more on the project page: Tauwharenīkau Pipeline River Crossing Replacement