Takapuna, in detail
Hundreds of homes empty on census night
Of Takapuna's 4,419 private dwellings in 2023, 570 were unoccupied on census night and 162 were under construction.
A relined beach sewer
The 1.6km wastewater pipe under the length of Takapuna Beach dates from the 1940s. Watercare relined it from the inside between 2022 and 2023, rehabilitated 36 manholes and expects 50 more years of life. The work needed access to private properties along the route.
Gully traps count here
Watercare and Auckland Council's Healthy Waters have tested beach stormwater outlets since 2019. Watercare's advice to locals: flush only the 3 Ps (poo, pee and toilet paper) and keep gully traps raised off the ground.
Rentals and gas heaters
40% of Takapuna households did not own their home or hold it in a trust (New Zealand: 34%), and 16.3% of dwellings used a fixed gas heater as a main heat source.
Away a lot? Catch a hidden leak
Read the meter
Write down the numbers on your water meter.
Use no water for 4 hours
No taps, flushes, dishwasher or washing machine. Watercare suggests 4 hours or more.
Read it again
If the number has gone up, Watercare says you are likely to have a leak. Check the cylinder's relief valve isn't dripping into the gully trap, then call a plumber.
Fix it quickly
Watercare may give a leak allowance if you fix a leak on your side within 21 days of its high-bill letter, or before it arrives.
Ground, manholes and your section
Auckland Emergency Management says Takapuna sits on tuff, welded volcanic ash from the eruption that formed Lake Pupuke, which is usually strong and resistant to erosion. If a new drain run is planned, ask the drainlayer how ground conditions affect the quote.
Watercare's responsibility for wastewater ends at the joint with its pipe or manhole, and a manhole on your land is still Watercare's. Report a spill from one straight away on (09) 442 2222, option 1.
Nearby: the North Shore, Devonport, Glenfield and Albany. Jobs: leak detection, gasfitting and blocked drains.
What we would do
If your Takapuna place sits empty for weeks, as plenty did on census night, do the meter test each time you get back. A slow leak in an empty apartment can run for a month before anyone notices, and Watercare's leak allowance has deadlines. Keep the gully trap raised and clear while you are at it. When the test shows a leak, we will match you with an authorised Takapuna specialist in leak detection.