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.
Progress is now underway on a new, low-nitrate water source at Bells Pond, with four kilometres of new pipeline installed connecting the source to the Lower Waihao Water Treatment Plant. The upgraded treatment plant will be built to modern compliance standards and sized to support future demand. The increased capacity will allow households currently on private wells with high nitrate levels to connect to the safer, Council-managed supply and Council is also exploring the possibility of progressively connecting the Waikakahi Rural Water Scheme to the 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. He acknowledges the scale of the investment but emphasises 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.”
