North Canterbury News: October 26, 2023

Investment in
Water Infrastructure
The requirement for chlorination isnot
due tothe water quality from source,
especially once wehave completed our
roll out ofUVtreatment for all supplies.
It is representative of the risks of
nasties, such as microorganisms,
getting into the supply through the
network—pipes, fittings, treatment
barriers for example.
Over the last 20years we’ve invested
over $100m in water infrastructure
which is high quality and have a
planned programme toensure itstays
this way. Wehave a100-year strategy
to fund these assets and afurther $41
million isallocated in the Long-Term
Plan to support drinking water safety
upgrades (such as UV treatment).
New regulations
The Council has always been supportive
of the new water regulator (despite our
opposition to the past Government’s
Three Waters restructuring policy) It is
essential that wehave safe and secure
drinking water.
We know our water sources are
amongst the best in the country and
will continue to invest in our water
infrastructure topursue apathway to
chlorine-free water. We will keep the
community informed about how we
are progressing.
The past Government’s Three Waters
Reform proposed the restructuring of
ownership ofcommunity water assets
and is separate entirely from the
legal requirement to meet drinking
water standards.
Council has advocated
for our community
The Council has done everything it can
to support the communities strong
wish for chlorine free water. The
Council made submissions on the new
regulations to the Parliamentary Select
Committee and has met with Taumata
Arowai officials, including their Chief
Executive, on several occasions to
reiterate our programme of investment
and the fact our residents strongly
desire unchlorinated water.
This was considered as part of the
exemption process and while the
exemptions were being considered
Council supplies were allowed to
remain chlorine free.
Following the Cust decision being
released, weare no longer able to
run drinking water supplies without
chlorine being added.
The Council has done everything we
can for our public supplies to remain
chlorine free. We will continue to
pursue what level ofinvestment will
be necessary to achieve chlorine free
water and discuss this with
the community.
Chlorine levels
When we must use chlorine weare
doing soatarate ofaround 0.5 parts
per million (a concentration of about
0.00005%), which is atenth ofthe
maximum allowable level. Another way
to think about this is one teaspoon of
chlorine per 10,000 litres of water.
This is within the healthy level
for drinking water recognised
internationally, and weare confident
about our water safety.
Despite this, the taste and smell can
be noticeable when chlorine isfirst
introduced (until the system stabilises)
and weappreciate this may concern
some residents.
We will continue topursue a
pathway to exemptions
The Council will continue to work with the drinking
water regulator, Taumata Arowai, to determine
apath forward where our drinking water can be
chlorine-free. However, this is expected to take a
significant amount ofinvestment which wewould
need to engage with the community on through
future Long Term or Annual Plans.
Where can Ifind out more information?
As this is abig change in our water delivery, weexpect residents will
have questions about it.
We ran aseries ofdrop insessions earlier this year in May totalk
about the new regulations and have put together answers tosome of
the frequently asked questions at Waimakariri.govt.nz/chlorination
Should you have any questions please get in touch via 0800 965 468
(0800 WMK GOV) or email office@wmk.govt.nz. Wewill keep the
Council website updated with the latest information.
Find out more
waimakariri.govt.nz/chlorination