Kāeo is getting long-term safe drinking water fix with new tank system. Photo / FNDC
Water tanks with end-point treatment are set to become the long-term answer to Kāeo’s drinking water woes, in a move welcomed by both Far North District Council and the Water Services Authority.
The FNDC will have water tanks with end-point treatment installed at the 14 affected residential properties, while five community buildings connected to the supply transition to “Acceptable Solutions” to meet drinking water standards.
The move comes after Kāeo’s previously privately owned water supply spent more than a decade under a boil water notice, before being placed under statutory management last year, with the FNDC appointed to oversee emergency repairs and develop a cost-effective long-term fix.
The scheme was previously operated by Wai Care Environmental Consultants since purchasing it in 2018. Before that, the council sold the asset in 2000 to Doubtless Bay Water, which withdrew from the arrangement in 2008.
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.
FNDC head of infrastructure Tanya Proctor said 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, said authority head of operations, Steve Taylor.
Taylor said the authority is pleased to see FNDC move quickly on a practical solution for this community, which has been living with an unreliable water supply for too long.
“This is a sensible, cost-effective way to deliver safe drinking water for a smaller community.”
“Acceptable Solutions are a straightforward way to meet drinking water safety standards, and we are very pleased to see this delivered as part of a solution for this community.
The FNDC is now implementing the solution, with installation due to be completed before the end of September.
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 installation 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.