Tokomaru Water Treatment Plant upgrade officially opened

The Tokomaru Water Treatment Plant upgrade was officially opened yesterday after a more financially-viable option allowed the project to be brought forward from 2025.

Last September Horowhenua District Council approved spending $350,000 for the upgrade, significantly less expensive than the previously estimated options ranging from $1.9 million to $3 million.

Yesterday's opening ceremony was attended by around 20 people including representatives from the community, local iwi Ngati Whakatere, District Councillors, Council staff and local contractors Downer.

Miranui Ward Councillor Ross Campbell said the upgrade was a milestone for the Tokomaru community.

"We can now rejoice in knowing that water supplied to the Tokomaru community will be fully compliant with New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. This upgrade will ensure that Tokomaru's water supply will provide health, safety, economic and social benefits to the community."

Cr Campbell acknowledged Horowhenua District Council staff, including Infrastructure Services Group Manager Gallo Saidy for his "attitude and commitment".

"They have been steering this project and have made this upgrade a reality 10 years earlier than planned and at a significantly lower cost to the district’s ratepayers."

Council's Chief Executive David Clapperton said Tokomaru residents Christine and Arthur Toms also deserved acknowledgment for years of strong advocating for better quality water for their community.

The $350,000 water treatment plant upgrade was funded from existing capital budgets for water treatment plant upgrades in the 2014/15 Annual Plan, meaning there was no impact on rates.

In addition to the chlorine disinfection, the upgrade sees the water now treated using a coarse sand filter, carbon filters, cartridge filtration and UV disinfection. There is an annual operating and maintenance cost of $35,000.

Council had previously investigated various options to upgrade the Tokomaru Water Treatment Plant, but due to costs and affordability the decision was made through the 2012/2022 Long Term Plan to defer the upgrade to 2025.

Council had attempted to secure funding from the Government's Capital Assistance Programme (CAP) for the upgrade, but without success due to Tokomaru not meeting the deprivation index criteria set as part of CAP.

Meanwhile, Council continued to look for alternative and financially more viable solutions, with trials for the recommended option carried out over four months last year.

Results confirmed this upgrade would meet New Zealand Drinking Water Standards for both bacteriological and protozoa (giardia and cryptosporidium) compliance. Moreover, the treatment plant's carbon filter would remove dissolved organics that were an issue due to them reacting with the chlorine added to the supply for disinfection.

ENDS

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