Thursday 17 December

Water supply for Patutahi

A decision to connect the Patutahi Township to the city water supply was approved by Council today following a proposal from the Te Whanau a Kai trust on behalf of people living in Patutahi.

The Trust applied directly o the Ministry of Health for 85% funding to provide a safe and reliable drinking water supply to 92 properties and the school in their community.

The Trust would fund the remainder or costs to connect to the city network without needing funds from Council.

The community were in agreement that Council would retain the new infrastructure and maintain it after it was installed and ratepayers would pay a water levy added to their rates.

Patutahi is not within the boundary for future water infrastructure growth, but water utilities manager Neville West says the MoH funding they secured is a point of difference and we agree that it will provide substantial health benefits to their community.

Residents currently rely entirely on rainwater.

“There are however some impacts for us to consider.”

The proposed water take up to 199cubic meters per day is unplanned and will reduce the amount allocated for future growth.

“Over the next year we’ll be reviewing a water demand strategy and it is timely given the introduction of the freshwater plan. The demand strategy will also consider the risks to availability of water to the city supply during peak demand periods.”

Council agreed to the proposal subject to further investigations on where the supply would be connected.

ENDS

© Scoop Media