Waikato Water Approved For Supply By Medical Officers Of Health

Auckland Medical Officers of Health have approved water treated at Watercare Service Ltd’s new Waikato River Water Treatment Plant at Tuakau for supply to Aucklanders.

Drs David Sinclair and Virginia Hope have given their seal of approval to the new plant after detailed review of the treatment process and treated water quality. This included independent testing by the Auckland District Health Board of both raw water (directly from the river before treatment) and the treated water. Medical Officer of Health approval also required the production of maintenance and emergency response plans so that public health agencies can be assured that unforeseen events will be detected and managed appropriately.

As part of the approval process, Watercare Services Ltd undertook intensified testing for ten days including testing for indicator micro-organisms, protozoa and viruses, tests for a range of common chemicals found in treated water supplies, and aesthetic measurements, such as turbidity. All microbiological tests were clear and all chemical tests were well within normal limits, consistent with good normal practice. Turbidity measurements indicate the treated water is exceptionally clear.

“It is pleasing and reassuring to see that the plant has performed so well across the board in this intensive proving period,” said Dr Hope. “The detailed information from testing over the past year and from the proving tests suggests that treated Waikato water will be at least as good as that currently supplied to Aucklanders.”

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