1 December 2006

Top grading for Te Marua water

Water from Greater Wellington’s Te Marua water treatment plant has received an A1 grading – the Ministry of Health’s highest level of endorsement for drinking water.

Quality standards for drinking water are set by the Ministry of Health through drinking water standards for New Zealand. There are six rating levels, from A1 to E – A1 being the highest.

Cr Rex Kirton, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Utility Services Committee, says a reliable water supply is fundamental to a sustainable community.

“The A1 grading gives people certainty that they have an excellent water supply, and validates the work that Greater Wellington is doing to ensure the highest possible standard for our drinking water.”

To decide on the grading, Hutt Valley District Health Board's Drinking Water Assessment Unit took account of the management of the catchment and treatment plant, and compliance with the drinking water standards.

This is the second A1 grading that a Greater Wellington surface water treatment plant has received. The Wainuiomata treatment plant has been A1 graded since 2003.

"A1 gradings are pretty rare and we’ve got two! The community can be proud in the knowledge that the overall quality of the water supply from Te Marua and Wainuiomata is as good as you can get,” says Rex.

The Te Marua water treatment plant is responsible for around 40 percent of the four cities’ water supply throughout the year. Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington's northern and western hill suburbs typically get most of their water from Te Marua.

ENDS

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