Draft Long Term Plan 2012-2022 - Hurunui District Council

www.hurunui.govt.nzWe will continue to make application for this subsidy yearlyfrom the Ministry of Health, wherever we see opportunitywithin the constraints of the set and strict criteria applicable toqualify for an adjudicated consideration.Effort is continually on-going to establish the useful lifespan ofunderground and fixed water supply assets. Most of the urbanreticulation is AC pipe (older community areas prior to early1970’s) and PVC for new sub-divisions and replacement sectionsof the current infrastructure.Pipe material has performed satisfactorily since installation,but renewal is anticipated for much of this over the next 20years or so. We have been undertaking a renewal programmefor some years, which will continue so that the cost is spreadout rather than peaking at once. Expected life for AC is 60years and 80 years for PVC and polyethylene (PE). Some ACpipe has experienced wall softening, thus demanding repairor replacement. This effect is localised in all networks, butthe frequency of pipe failure is closely monitored to ensurereplacement is carried out at the optimum time.External and internal stresses determine the useful life of allassets. The inability to pin-point these means approximatevalues are applied to useful service lives. This implies thatrenewal priorities are spontaneous (reactive based on incidentsof breakages), rather than being confidently known (proactivebased on scientific data). Better scientific information aroundthe pipeline infrastructure (sectional investigations for conditionratings) could swing this approach to the NAMS best practiceasset management outcomes, but comes at a high initial cost.Sectional Investigation Programmes (SIP) will be initiated toselected schemes over the next three years to make inroadstowards this desirable outcome and improved proactiveforecasted replacement/renewal maintenance programmes.We recognise risks associated with failure to supply safe drinkingwater on public health and potential failure to supply wherenatural disasters have the capacity to damage reticulation. Therural character of the district means immediate assistance maybe limited at such times. We hold limited pipe and fittings stockat each depot (dormant cash flows) and have built-in generatorsor external plugs at some of the main pump stations. Reservoirback-up when intakes are out of commission is very limited(except for Hanmer Springs – tank farm). Operators and plant,located at each depot, are a first point of call through these riskassociated periods identified.All water networks operate under approved resource consentsto take water. Conditions are set with council utilities staff andare administered by Canterbury Regional Council (EnvironmentCanterbury - ECan). All intakes are within consented limits atpresent. It is assumed that future demand will be able to bemet with the capital projects planned and that the consents forsuch will continue to be renewed as necessary and be able tobe complied with.Council Utilities Team undertake emergency repairs tothe main line on the Waipara Water Scheme.76