Three Waters

Three waters refers to stormwater, wastewater (sewerage), and potable water supply. Orogen designs the three waters infrastructure required to service new developments, connects it to existing networks, obtains the necessary approvals from network operators, and certifies the completed infrastructure for council vesting.

Without water supply, wastewater disposal, and stormwater management, a development cannot proceed. Three waters infrastructure is often on the critical path of a project, as network operators have long approval lead times and construction can be complex. Orogen's experience in three waters design means we start the approvals process early and keep the project moving.

We design to the network operator's engineering standards, which typically reference the Water New Zealand guidelines, the relevant infrastructure design manual (IDM), and any specific council or network requirements. Standards vary between Wellington Water, Watercare, and local councils, and Orogen maintains current knowledge of each.

Where the existing stormwater, wastewater, or water supply network cannot accommodate the additional flows from a new development, a network upgrade is required. This may be at the developer's cost or may be a shared cost with the council. Orogen's engineers assess the capacity of the existing network at the feasibility stage so you know about this cost before committing to the project.

Three waters infrastructure typically runs within road corridors, so the design must coordinate with roading, kerb lines, and footpath layouts. Orogen's integrated team designs all three simultaneously, resolving conflicts at the drawing stage rather than on the construction site.

Yes. Stormwater and wastewater discharges to waterways or the coastal environment require resource consent from the regional council. Orogen's planners and engineers work together to prepare discharge consent applications that meet the regional plan requirements and provide the technical evidence needed for approval.

We size stormwater attenuation to limit peak flows to pre-development rates, design treatment devices to meet water quality standards, and model the interaction of the new infrastructure with the receiving environment. The goal is development that does not impose costs or risks on neighbouring properties or the wider catchment.