Taumata Arowai assistance on Kāeo water welcomed

Far North District Council is welcoming the lead taken by Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai to find a long-term solution for 23 Kāeo properties connected to the Wai Care-owned water supply.

On Wednesday (22 October), Taumata Arowai moved to address longstanding issues experienced by Wai Care in providing customers with safe drinking water, which has led to a 10-year long boil water notice for affected residents.

The Water Services Authority has called upon Wai Care to collaborate with Far North District Council (FNDC) to explore possible solutions.

FNDC Head of Infrastructure, Tanya Proctor says she welcomes the involvement of Taumata Arowai.

“While the council is not the drinking water supplier in this case, it does have a duty to ensure communities have access to safe drinking water when a supplier faces a significant problem.

“We are keen to explore options with Wai Care to help resolve longstanding water quality issues for affected Kāeo residents and businesses. At the same time, we need to be mindful of our budget constraints and ensure that the interests of Far North ratepayers are protected.”

The next steps will involve council staff meeting with Wai Care to fully assess existing water infrastructure and options for possible solutions.

She says that FNDC’s partners in establishing a Northland-wide council-controlled organisation (CCO) to deliver drinking water and wastewater services – Whangārei and Kaipara district councils – have been informed about the direction from Taumata Arowai.