Overview
Downer NZ manages the Waipa District Council Road Maintenance Contract. A key focus of this contract is supporting a safe, reliable, and resilient road network. We spoke to Downer’s Contract Manager, Liam Bartholomeusz, to find out how the AquaMaster 2000 helped him build a culvert jetting and maintenance programme that is improving flood resilience across the Waikato region.
Improving flood resilience of Waipa’s road network through culvert maintenance
Downer maintains over 7,500 culverts in the network across the Waipa district. As Liam explains, keeping those culverts clear is fundamental to keeping roads safe and functional.
“A lot of people say the best way to keep ‘good roads good’ is drainage and good drainage maintenance. So culverts really help with keeping our roads in good condition and if they’re blocked or damaged and not functioning properly then that can be really detrimental and cause our roads to deteriorate.”
Downer was able to build a large-scale culvert jetting and maintenance programme across Waipa, in the Waikato region of the North Island, using the AquaMaster 2000. By keeping culverts clear proactively, Waipa Council and the Downer team plan to make the road network more resilient to weather events and reduce the cost of unplanned repairs.
Liam found the AquaMaster 2000 was a great machine for the job.
“So it’s easy enough that I can operate it and I usually only operate a keyboard and a mouse. I think the team’s found it really good to operate. Great pressure, it’s been really helpful, we haven’t had any issues and the teams have been really enjoying its functionality and capability.”
Culvert jetting NZ: preventive maintenance that saves hundreds of thousands
The value of the preventive work was made clear during a storm event in October. Bad weather demonstrated exactly how costly blocked culverts can be to the roading in the region. With 3,500 PSI of pressure washing capability, the AquaMaster 2000 is built to clear compacted debris and sediment quickly and effectively. Liam recognises that his culvert jetting programme is potentially saving the council hundreds of thousands of dollars by focusing on prevention rather than repair.
“It just helps you achieve outcomes that really help your clients. And definitely it has helped us and the client with doing some good mahi with their budget.”
Versatile enough to stay busy: from culvert jetting to dust suppression
Liam also comments that, due to the versatility of the AquaMaster 2000, the machine is kept busy even when it is not unblocking culverts. In short, it has been a handy piece of equipment to have around.
“It’s had really good outcomes for what we’ve tried to do with it. We’ve found it really versatile and easy to manoeuvre around on a trailer. It’s quite multi-purpose. We’ve used it as a water cart for dust suppression on a few jobs too which is really handy. But that functionality, it’s quite versatile and you can use it on a range of things. You’re really getting work done, good work done.”
This kind of dust suppression on NZ worksites is another area where the AquaMaster 2000 delivers real value, from road construction to civil earthworks. It is one less machine the team needs on site, and it keeps the water cart trailer earning its keep across a wider range of tasks.
Support when you need it, reliability you can trust
There is a lot of comfort in knowing that support is available whenever you need it. Although there have not been many issues, Liam has also appreciated the great communication and customer service available from the Master Machinery team.
“Really good experience, really communicative. Jonty is really good to talk to and he always calls and always turns up. You build relationships on trust and I definitely feel that the trust is there.”
The AquaMaster 2000 has ticked a lot of boxes for the team at Downer in Waipa. The jetter function has been integral to the culvert maintenance programme they have set in place, reducing the damage and subsequent repair cost to the road network during major weather events. The AquaMaster 2000 is also handy enough, and easy to get around, so that it can be used on a range of other tasks like bridge cleaning and dust suppression on NZ worksites. That means it is always busy delivering value to the Downer team.
Frequently asked questions
What is culvert jetting and why does it matter for NZ roads?
Culvert jetting uses high-pressure water to clear blockages from drainage culverts beneath roads. In New Zealand’s climate, blocked culverts are one of the leading causes of road deterioration and surface damage. A proactive culvert jetting programme like the one Downer NZ runs across Waipa can save councils hundreds of thousands of dollars in unplanned repairs.
Can the AquaMaster 2000 be used for culvert cleaning and dust suppression on the same job?
Yes. The AquaMaster 2000 is multi-purpose by design. Downer NZ uses it for high-pressure culvert jetting and switches to dust suppression mode on the same site visit, reducing the number of machines needed and maximising value from a single unit.
How much pressure does the AquaMaster 2000 deliver for culvert jetting?
The AquaMaster 2000 delivers up to 3,500 PSI of water pressure, making it capable of clearing compacted debris and sediment from blocked culverts. It also has a high-flow pump with a max flow rate of 100 L/min for larger volume tasks.
Is the AquaMaster 2000 easy to operate on a road maintenance crew?
Liam Bartholomeusz from Downer NZ describes it as easy enough that even a non-operator can use it. The trailer-mounted design makes it straightforward to position at culvert sites, and teams can get it operational quickly on the job.
Can I purchase the AquaMaster 2000 for a culvert maintenance programme in New Zealand?
Yes. The AquaMaster 2000 is available to purchase across New Zealand. Contact the Master Machinery team to discuss availability in your region and which model best suits your programme. You can also explore our full range of water carts available across New Zealand.
What other road maintenance tasks can the AquaMaster 2000 handle?
Beyond culvert jetting, the AquaMaster 2000 handles dust suppression, bridge cleaning, and general pressure washing on roading and civil sites. Its versatility means it stays productive across multiple tasks, maximising return on investment for councils and civil contractors.
See what the AquaMaster 2000 can do for your road maintenance programme
If you are looking for a multifunctional water cart trailer with high-pressure jetting and dust suppression capability for your road maintenance programme, talk to the Master Machinery team. We will walk you through the AquaMaster 2000 and our full range of water carts available across New Zealand. You can also read our full buyer’s guide to the AquaMaster 2000 before you make a decision. Friendly, knowledgeable and ready when you are. Get in touch today.
