$4.7 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure

Council has approved a $4.7 million investment to significantly upgrade rural water treatment infrastructure, marking one of the largest water quality improvements undertaken in the district’s history.

The funding will support the construction of a new water treatment plant for the Otaio‑Makikihi and Hook-Waituna Rural Water Schemes, as well as a major upgrade of the Lower Waihao Water Treatment Plant. Once complete, these projects will improve drinking water quality for more than 2,300 residents and provide capacity for future growth across the district.

The Lower Waihao Rural Water Scheme has seen several spikes in nitrate levels historically. A recent spike prompted a temporary ‘do not drink’ notice in late 2024. In response, Council secured an interim alternative water source, reducing nitrate levels by half.

Progress is now underway on a new, low‑nitrate water source at Bells Pond, including four kilometres of new pipeline to connect the source to the Lower Waihao treatment plant.

While the new source is effectively nitrate‑free, further treatment will be required to meet the new national water regulatory framework. The upgraded treatment plant will be built to modern compliance standards and sized to support future demand.

The increased capacity will also allow households currently on private wells with high nitrate levels to connect to the safer, Council‑managed supply.

Council is also exploring the possibility of progressively connecting the Waikakahi Rural Water Scheme to the upgraded Lower Waihao water treatment plant.

The Otaio‑Makikihi Rural Water Scheme currently sources water from a bore, requiring minimal treatment. To strengthen supply security, Council has drilled a second bore and will be connecting it to a new water treatment plant.

The existing Otaio-Makikihi treatment plant will receive an upgrade, and the new water treatment facility will be constructed for Hook-Waituna to ensure compliance and long‑term resilience.

Mayor Craig Rowley says the decision reflects Council’s commitment to safeguarding public health and meeting community expectations.

“I am proud of our decision to get on with the work ratepayers expect us to do. We promised to deliver safe drinking water, and this investment shows our commitment to fulfilling that promise.”

He acknowledged the scale of the investment but emphasised that it is being responsibly funded.

“This is one of the biggest investments we have ever made, but it will be paid for through a combination of borrowing, reprioritisation of existing budgets, and strong fiscal prudence. These assets will serve our district for decades, and the costs will be repaid over their lifetime.”