Fluid Management Projects | Prime Fluid Management

Delivering Complex Dewatering at Scale | Prime Fluid Management

Written by Prime Fluid Management | Apr 28, 2026 8:02:18 PM

Dewatering is one thing. Delivering it at scale across multiple sites along a 24km route with varying consent conditions, controls and complex operating demands is another.

That was the challenge on Stage 2 of the Ōtaki to North of Levin (O2NL) new State Highway 1 project.

 

The clients

  • Northern alliance – Fulton Hogan
  • Southern alliance – McConnell Dowell and Downer

Prime Fluid Management was subcontracted by Goodman Contractors on the earthworks side, with Halo supporting telemetry and control integration during project delivery.

 

The project 

With seven river sites, ten pond transfers and a corridor covering 17 pumping locations, this was a large-scale undertaking. Across two alliance-led areas, Prime had to coordinate varying:

  • Consent conditions
  • Controls and access constraints
  • Site-specific setup demands.

The work unfolded in stages, with assessment, specification, setup and automation all taking shape as the project progressed.

“Prime delivered a spread-out pumping package across the route – moving water from river takes into ponds and across multiple transfer points.”

Duncan Moore – Sales Engineer, Prime Fluid Management

Planning a large-scale dewatering job? Get in touch with us today.

Generators ready for deployment across the O2NL project

 

The challenge 

Prime had to turn a large, spread-out job into a reliable, compliant dewatering package that worked across the full project. That meant managing site-by-site consent conditions, connected controls and ongoing water supply across multiple locations.

Keeping water in the ponds supported dust suppression and kept earthworks moving.

“Distance was a big factor – but telemetry, pump controls and consent compliance made the job genuinely complex.”

Duncan Moore



One of 17 pumping locations across the O2NL route

 

The solution 

Prime treated O2NL as a full construction dewatering package – assessing, specifying and refining each location as the work progressed. Each site’s duty point, consent conditions and operating demands guided the solution through:

  • Reliable equipment
  • Integrated controls and reporting
  • Site-specific performance.

As the work took shape, Prime refined the package through multiple pricing and design stages, locking in the right pump selection, power supply, pipe sizing and controls for each location. This tailored approach delivered dewatering systems for real conditions – rather than a one-size-fits-all setup.

“Anyone can sell generators and submersibles or end suction pumps. What mattered here was delivering the full package – all the bits and pieces – around them.”

Duncan Moore

 

Prime refined the package site by site – matching pumps, power and controls to each location

 

The outcome 

O2NL shows Prime’s ability to deliver complete dewatering solutions at scale for complex projects. The team has already put the core package in place across this multi-site job, with automation and long-term support continue as the works progress.

Over the life of the project, success will come down to consistent performance – maintaining water in the ponds, supporting dust suppression and keeping earthworks moving.

A working dewatering system in place – with telemetry and controls for ongoing performance.

“Success is where there’s water in the ponds and it’s automated without too much human input.”

Duncan Moore

Talk to Prime about your next complex dewatering project.