Water treatment solutions in place for Ōmārama and Lake Ōhau

Published on 27 March 2025

Residents of Ōmārama and Lake Ōhau are benefiting from Waitaki District Council’s investment in long-term water treatment infrastructure in the Ahuriri ward.

Lake Ōhau’s new water treatment plant, the first for the village, was commissioned earlier this month. This follows the replacement of the Ōmārama water treatment plant in 2024.

The Ōmārama water treatment plant has some significant changes, designed to ensure the delivery of quality water even in difficult conditions. It has been proofed against flooding, including the transformer being raised on a pole next to the plant. The building also has a IL4 building rating, meaning it has significant earthquake resilience due to its proximity to the Alpine fault.

The Lake Ōhau water treatment plant operates out of a container, connected to the existing network of the village.

Both plants chlorinate and filter the water to the standards enforced by Taumata Arowai, the water regulator.

Both upgrades related to a direction Council received in late 2023 from Taumata Arowai to upgrade supplies by 31 December 2024, following supply issues in another region of New Zealand. Non-compliance would have resulted in significant fines for Council.

Chief Executive Alex Parmley says: “The new Ōmārama and Lake Ōhau Water Treatment Plants are long-term assets, designed to deliver clean, safe drinking water to communities in the Ahuriri ward.

We’d like to thank the local community for their patience and support, and landowners in Ōmārama and Lake Ōhau who Council partnered with to deliver safe, clean drinking water for the future.”

ENDS