Waitaki water safer due to investment and upgrades

Published on 26 September 2023

omarama water treatment plant.

Waitaki District Council has prioritised significant investments in upgrading water supply infrastructure across the district and as a result the following supplies have appropriate protozoa barriers in place and are at a lower risk of cryptosporidium contamination: 

Supply Registered Population   Bacteria Barrier Protozoa Barrier
Ōamaru  15,561  Chlorine Membrane filters
Waihemo   1,357  Chlorine Cartridge filters and UV
Lower Waitaki  778  Chlorine UV
Kurow  330  Chlorine UV
Otematata  195  Chlorine UV
Duntroon  81  Chlorine Cartridge filter and UV
 Total population  18,302    

 

However, within the Waitaki District there are eight supplies with no current protozoa barrier, and the Ōmārama supply which is currently being upgraded to have cartridge filters and UV protozoa barriers 

Supply Registered Population   Bacteria Barrier Protozoa Barrier  Comment
Tokarahi   573  Chlorine  None Managed by Corriedale Water Management Ltd (CWML)
Awamoko  399  Chlorine None Managed by Corriedale Water Management Ltd (CWML)
Ōmārama 270  Chlorine None Currently being built, will have cartridge filters and UV as protozoa barriers. Scheduled for completion before end 2023.
Kauru Hill 197  Chlorine None Managed by Corriedale Water Management Ltd (CWML)
Windsor 137  Chlorine None
 Managed by Corriedale Water Management Ltd (CWML)  
Stoneburn 86  Chlorine None  
Ohau Alpine Village 36  None None
  On Permanent Boil Water Notice
Bushy Creek 29 None  None    On Permanent Boil Water Notice
Awahokomo 21   None None  On Permanent Boil Water Notice. Managed by consumers
Total population 1,748      

 

The above information shows that 91% of registered Waitaki water supply consumers receive water that is at low risk of cryptosporidium (and other protozoa) contamination. 

Of the eight supplies yet to be upgraded, assessments for water supply upgrades have been completed for three; Stoneburn, Bushy Creek and Ohau Alpine Village. The findings of the Stoneburn and Bushy Creek assessments will be discussed by Council in due course. 

All remaining non-upgraded supplies are currently managed by external parties as indicated in the table. 

Mayor Gary Kircher says, “The Waitaki District Council has had a strong focus on upgrading its water supplies since the early 2000’s when we upgraded the Ōamaru supply. Since then, there has been a significant investment to bring most of our supplies up to the required standards, even though this has been the main contributor to the increase in Council’s debt levels. As the saying goes, how much is a human life worth? We have been very proactive in ensuring people are kept as safe as possible.” 

Considering the Queenstown events, it would not be unexpected for Taumata Arowai to issue Compliance Orders to other Territorial Authorities, requiring non-upgraded supplies to have a Boil Water Notice until appropriate treatment barriers are in place. This will not affect the vast majority of Waitaki water supply customers. 

ENDS 

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