Water Supply

Council meets the need for high quality drinking water and ensures fire-fighting requirements are met within the defined water supply areas.

Water Supply contributes by ensuring

• Treated drinking water supplies conform to established public health standards and
• Water treatment does not adversely effect the environment

– in action – 

District wide asbestos cement water pipe replacement

What we said we would do in 2013/14

Complete an investigation and condition assessment of asbestos cement water pipe network, and then implement a programme of works to target critical areas over succeeding years.

What we did in 2013/14

Kaitaia area scoped and prioritised. Replacement piping completed as planned.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Investigation and condition assessment continues across the Kaikohe water supply scheme.

Kaitaia new Sweetwater source

What we said we would do in 2013/14

Commissioning of a new water source for Kaitaia.

What we did in 2013/14

Work on the Sweetwater project was limited to further testing of the effect of pumping the bore on other bores in the area. As of the endof June 2014 progress on the original project concept has been deferred pending an independent engineering review of alternative water supply options.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Work to identify a new water source for Kaitaia will continue and will be dependent upon on outcomes from the current engineering review.

– development so far – 

Omanaia Water Supply

What we said  we would do in 2013/14

Progress water supply issues in Omanaia.

What we did in 2013/14

A capital subsidy application to the Ministry of Health was submitted but was viewed as uneconomic and rejected. Work to investigate and develop an area wide solution has commenced and will include the Omanaia water supply issues.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Progress resolution of water supply issues for Omanaia

Management Planning

What we said  we would do in 2013/14

Gain approval for Water Safety Plans (WSP’s were formerly called PHRMP’s Public Health Risk Management Plans).

What we did in 2013/14

Approval for 7 of 8 water supplies granted.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Kerikeri scheme approval in progress.

Fire Fighting Capacity Study & Remedials

What we said  we would do in 2013/14

Assessment of fire-fighting performance, i.e. Identifying improvements that compliment local fire-fighting operational strategies.

What we did in 2013/14

Improvements to Russell infrastructure completed. Further physical works will depend on outcomes from modelling exercise studies.

What we plan to do in 2014/15

Implement identified improvements following assessment of fire-fighting performance, within the capacity of the supply.

– what we have achieved in 2013/14 –  

Pavement Rehabilitation

We have completed approximately 8.5 kilometres of sealed road pavement rehabilitation.

• Water reticulation extended to provide drinking water supply to Waitangi Trust and Copthorne Hotel.
• Re-roofing of timber tank reservoir at Te Houmi.
• Upgrade works at Paihia water treatment plant has increased capacity of supplies.

– where are we now? – 

• `Water supply from the Petaka Stream that feeds Rawene experienced a significant slip early June 2014 that affected the quality of raw water available for treatment. A remedial works plan will be proposed to Northland Regional Council and Department of Conservation for approval.
• Summer drought affecting Opononi, Rawene and Kaikohe water supplies led to water restrictions and conservation measures.

- key priorities planned for 2014/15 –

Transport Strategy and Advocacy Plan

• Progress investigations into supplementary water sources for Opononi, Rawene and Te Kao.
• Increased engagement and consultation with Iwi and the wider community in order to achieve mutually acceptable solutions that benefit the district.

¹ Please refer to the Water Supply section of the Long-Term Plan (LTP) 2012/13 and the Annual Plans 2013/14 and 2014/15 for further information on priorities