Keeping Dunedin’s Wastewater Infrastructure Flowing
How Smart Planning Minimised Downtime for Critical Pump Overhauls
Maintaining a city’s wastewater system is no small task – especially when key infrastructure relies on ageing equipment and specialist components that can take months to source. For Dunedin City Council (DCC), ensuring the reliability of the Tahuna Wastewater Treatment Plant is essential to keeping the city functioning and meeting environmental standards. When it came time to overhaul four of their large Flygt pumps, they turned to long-time partner TRS to deliver a reliable and timely solution.
The pumps in question are integral to Tahuna’s operations and taking them offline posed a significant operational risk. To complicate matters, key parts needed for servicing were not readily available in New Zealand, with lead times stretching up to four months. Any delay could have meant extended downtime or the inability to respond quickly to a failure.
Fortunately, DCC and TRS have a longstanding working relationship, and that trust allowed both teams to take a proactive approach. Rather than wait for failure or for the pumps to be removed before sourcing parts, TRS and DCC planned ahead – pre-ordering all necessary components for the upcoming overhauls. This ensured that servicing could begin as soon as pumps arrived at TRS, avoiding unnecessary delays and keeping the treatment plant operating efficiently.
By rotating the servicing of the four pumps, DCC ensured that the plant maintained capacity throughout the project. When one pump began to underperform unexpectedly, they were able to replace it immediately with a fully refurbished unit – preventing disruption to the plant’s operations.
What stood out most to the team at DCC was not just the technical execution, but the ease and clarity of the entire process. Communication from TRS was consistent and transparent, making planning straightforward and collaborative. Expectations were clearly set and met, and each service was completed with minimal fuss.
John Hughes of DCC summed it up simply: “the work was smooth, efficient, and well-coordinated. With clear communication and reliable turnaround times, TRS provided peace of mind and delivered real operational value”.
As councils across New Zealand face the challenge of maintaining critical infrastructure in the face of ageing assets and stretched resources, this project highlights how early planning and trusted partnerships can deliver tangible results – not just in cost savings, but in system resilience and long-term performance.
If you are looking for a servicing partner for any rotating electrical equipment including electric motors, pumps, alternators, gearboxes and related equipment, get in touch with the TRS team on 0800 487 463.
