Council supports practical solution for Kāeo drinking water

Water tanks hold the solution for 14 properties in Kāeo affected by longstanding issues with water supply in the town, a practical approach supported by Far North District Council (FNDC).

As well as installing water tanks to affected property owners and residents, council staff will be providing guidance on how to maintain the cartridge filtration and ultraviolet disinfection treatment systems and how to keep their water safe.

In November last year, The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai placed the Kāeo drinking water supply under statutory management and appointed FNDC to manage the supply. The previously privately-owned supply had been on a boil water advisory for 10 years. The council ensured the supply was turned back on as quickly as possible after emergency repairs were completed and has been reviewing options for a cost-effective, long-term solution.

FNDC Head of Infrastructure, Tanya Proctor says the council is pleased to see a pragmatic solution for this community.

“Water tanks are a cost-effective and fit-for-purpose way to provide safe drinking water for a smaller community and can be deployed relatively quickly for affected properties. Acceptable Solutions are also being investigated where that meets the needs of the community best.”

Acceptable Solutions enable water to be treated at or near buildings where people will drink it, says Authority Head of Operations, Steve Taylor.

“Five community buildings in Kāeo connected to the current supply will be implementing Acceptable Solutions, systems because they are a straightforward way to meet drinking water safety standards.”

Letters outlining the solution and proposed next steps have been sent to affected residents.

Council staff are currently working on feasibility assessments, site-specific considerations and assessing installations requirements. The water tanks are expected to be in place by the end of September.

The works will be funded by the government’s ‘Better Off’ funding, a grant provided to councils as part of the water reform support package.