New Kaitāia water supply on stream by December

Groundwater being drawn from two bores at Sweetwater, north of Kaitāia, is gradually being added to the water treatment plant in Okahu Road. 

The bores are part of the council’s $15.3 million Kaitāia Water Project, involving bore heads, a new bore, and a 14km pipeline linking the Aupōuri aquifer to the council’s water treatment plant.

In a recent update provided to councillors, Chief Executive Blair King says that following ‘steady state running’ of the pumps and bores, operators are now working on reducing levels of fine particles and minerals suspended in the groundwater.

“While the amount is equal to just 10 to 15 teaspoons of suspended particles per 1000 litres when we start the bore pumps, it is prudent to remove this at source rather during treatment processes at the Okahu Road plant. A specialised cyclone unit designed to remove very fine particles from water is now being fabricated and should arrive from the manufacturer within eight weeks.”

The Kaitāia Water Project was intended to supplement the Awanui River as the town’s main water source. However, recent severe weather events have seen raw water intakes at the Awanui repeatedly blocked by silt and debris, leaving the town temporarily reliant on water stored in reservoirs. Mr King says the incidents highlighted the need to provide residents and businesses with a water supply they can absolutely rely on.

“We have just completed a $15.3 million alternative water supply designed to meet Kaitāia’s daily water requirements. Given recent events, it makes sense for this to become the primary supply and to retain the Awanui River as the secondary back-up.”

He says the cost of extra equipment needed to complete the Kaitāia Water Project and to transition the town to a groundwater supply will be covered within the already approved Sweetwater Capital Budget. This should be completed by the end of November.  

The council launched the Kaitāia Water Project after the 2019-20 drought which saw Kaitāia residents and businesses connected to the council supply were placed on stringent water restrictions for several months after water flows in the Awanui River fell to their lowest levels in 50 years. It was the sixth drought experienced by the region in nine years. The goal of the Kaitāia Water Project is to reduce dependence on the Awanui River by providing a reliable, alternative source of high-quality drinking water.

To learn more about the Kaitāia Water Project, go to the FNDC website.