01/11/2005

ODC - Kawhia needs more water

The water supply at Kawhia is currently "stretched in times of deep demand".
That's according to Otorohanga district engineering manager Dave Clibbery who addressed the issue at a council meeting on October 11.
The council is now seeking funding to improve the quality and quantity of water in Kawhia.
The Ministry of Tourism is currently offering funds to small communities with high tourism flow to invest in water and sewerage infrastructure to sustain their tourism industry.
Labelled the Tourism Demand Subsidy Scheme (TDSS), the ministry has $11 million to allocate over three years.
Hoping to take advantage of these funds, Otorohanga District Council has put together a Kawhia Community Water Supply Upgrade Project and, applied to the TDSS.
If it goes ahead the upgrade project would see increased utilisation of water from the area adjacent to the springs behind Tahuri St.
This would enable treatment of up to 700 cubic metres of water per day in times of peak demand.
Mr Clibbery said the project would enable a treatment capacity increase of about 40 per cent, expected to meet demand for at least the next 15 years if water consumption in Kawhiaontinues to rise at recent levels.
Several options for increasing water supply had been identified however taking more water from the Tahuri St spring was the most cost-effective option.
"Various options were identified for increasing water supply capacity, of which taking more water from the existing spring source behind Tahuri St was indicated to be by far the most cost-effective.
"The estimated project'cost is $476,810 - about half of that of the next cheapest alternative," said Mr Clibbery.
Of the $476,810 needed for the project, about $199,650 is available under the TDSS.
It is believed that as much as 80 per cent of the remaining cost could qualify for subsidy under the Ministry of Health's Drinking Water Assistance Programme (DWAP).
In addition to increasing the capacity of the water supply, the project would also see the water treatment plant upgraded in order to satisfy the water quality requirements of the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.
At last month's meeting, councillors indicated their support for the upgrade project and made a formal statement of support in order to strengthen the application.
Kawhia Community Board members had previously indicated their support at a meeting on September 29.