Watercare Services Limited

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023-07 to 2024-06)

Total Carbon Emissions:66,539 tonnes CO2e/year

Reduced operational emissions (scope 1 and 2) by achieving 66,539 tonnes CO2e, exceeding the target of <89,200 tonnes CO2e. More than half of the electricity purchased was certified 100% renewable.
Completed a third water storage reservoir in Manukau, holding 45 million litres of water and boosting Auckland’s wider water supply resilience.
Completed work to rehabilitate the Ōrākei Main Sewer by relining a 116-metre section.

Increased staff engagement score to 7.6 (November 2023) from 7.3 (June 2023), with an 82% response rate.
Launched inaugural reo and tikanga Māori learning modules, Kōpatapata and Kōnehunehu.
Celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of Watercare’s Koiora leadership programme for Māori kaimahi.
Increased procurement with Māori-owned businesses to 2.47% of total supplier spend ($30.63 million), a 34% increase from the previous year.
Launched Ngā Kakau Paraha, a Māori business network aimed at supporting Watercare’s $3.5b asset upgrade and renewal programme.

Underwent biannual Board performance reviews.
Established an Asset Management Committee (AMC) and a Capital Finance Committee (CFC) in 2024.
Maintained a specific policy to receive and deal with information about serious wrongdoing within the company, using PwC’s Whistleblowing Disclosure Service.

Long-term Goals:

Medium-term Goals:

Short-term Goals:

Ōrākei Main Sewer collapse due to factors including pipe condition, extreme rainfall, and weakened concrete blocks.
Significant weather events in January and February 2023 causing damage to water-related infrastructure.
Uncertainty surrounding water reform and financial sustainability.
High TRIFR (Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate) exceeding the target.

Implemented a 24/7 effort to design and build a 400-metre bypass and temporary pump station to divert sewer flows after the Ōrākei collapse (completed within 20 days).
Developed a monitoring programme to assess the impact of overflows on the Waitematā Harbour.
Undertook and completed work to rehabilitate the Ōrākei Main Sewer.
Developed a revised price path to ensure continued infrastructure investment while balancing Auckland Council group’s debt requirements.
Implemented ongoing flood recovery programme including building retaining walls and clearing landslips.
Implementing recommendations from an independent review into the Ōrākei Main Sewer collapse.
Implementing recommendations from a health, safety and wellbeing culture review to improve psychological safety and critical risk management.

Ongoing efforts to increase participation of Māori businesses in the supply chain.